Dakota Ditcheva

Dakota Ditcheva has confirmed she re-injured both of her hands, raising serious doubts about her near-term availability after only just returning from over a year of inactivity. The 28-year-old flyweight star made her comeback at PFL New York last Friday, defeating Denise Kielholtz by unanimous decision, but was subsequently spotted at an MVP boxing event wearing a cast. Ditcheva revealed the news herself, confirming both hands are broken — a worrying development given that her next fight against Liz Carmouche had already been lined up.

Carmouche

PFL CEO John Martin has indicated Dakota Ditcheva is likely to fight Liz Carmouche next, describing it as the title bout the promotion intends to make following Ditcheva's win at PFL New York. Martin also addressed Usman Nurmagomedov's future, saying the two sides had agreed to hold off on contract discussions until after Friday's event and will now sit down to determine what the undefeated lightweight champion wants to do. The comments come amid the announcement that PFL is set to merge with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions at the start of 2027.

Carmouche, Nurmagomedov

Dakota Ditcheva scored a unanimous decision victory over Denise Kilhölz with scores of 30-27 across all three judges. The win marks Ditcheva's return to action after a year out with injuries to both hands, and pushes her PFL record to 11-0 and her overall MMA record to 16-0. She has four fights remaining on her PFL contract.

Two fights have been pulled from Friday's PFL New York event at UBS Arena in Belmont, N.Y. Simeon Powell's main-card light heavyweight bout against Dovlet Yagshimuradov has been cancelled, with Powell citing circumstances beyond his control, and prelim fighter Zach Nishimwe has also withdrawn from his scheduled bout against Moustapha Diakhate. The promotion is actively seeking a short-notice replacement to keep Diakhate on the card, while the main event between Usman Nurmagomedov and Archie Colgan and the co-main featuring Dakota Ditcheva and Denise Kielholtz remain intact.

Powell, Nurmagomedov

Dakota Ditcheva makes her return to action at PFL New York against Denise Kielholtz, her first fight in over a year after a debilitating broken hand injury. The undefeated flyweight star enters the bout as a 1/40 favourite, matching the odds Gable Steveson carried into his UFC debut — a record that makes Ditcheva the biggest betting favourite in MMA history. Ditcheva, who holds a 15-0 professional record, has admitted she considered retirement during her lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Steveson

Dakota Ditcheva has publicly refuted reports that she has only two fights left on her PFL contract and is eyeing a move to the UFC. The flyweight star confirmed she has five fights remaining on her current deal and declined to discuss financial specifics, dismissing claims of a $2 million two-fight arrangement. Ditcheva is set to return to action this weekend against Denise Kielholtz at a PFL event in New York.