Dakota
Ditcheva is targeting a rematch with Jena Bishop
for championship gold.
Ditcheva (16-0) says she has been cleared to resume training after
undergoing surgery on both hands, which she broke during her
unanimous decision victory over Denise
Kielholtz in July. The injuries sidelined the undefeated Brit
while Bishop defeated Liz
Carmouche at
PFL Chicago to become the inaugural
Professional Fighters League women’s flyweight world
champion.
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Dakota Ditcheva resumes training, targets rematch with PFL
champion Jena Bishop
Ditcheva has focused on grappling while easing back into striking.
“Dangerous” previously suffered a hand injury during her victory
over Sumiko
Inaba last year, but said her latest recovery progressed much
faster, allowing her to return about nine weeks after surgery.
“I’m good, I’m all clear,” Ditcheva told Ariel Helwani. “I’m back
at training now, so yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m just waiting for a
date for the belt. I want my belt back. I’ve been grappling for a
few weeks now. I just kind of took my time a little bit with the
striking. I haven’t got a fight coming up, so I thought, let me
just focus on the grappling; now Jena’s the person with the belt. I
healed so quickly this time… It was like nine weeks since surgery,
which is really quick.”
Ditcheva has finished 13 of her 16 career victories, including a
first-round technical knockout of Bishop in their 2024 meeting.
Dakota
Ditcheva gives an update on her recovery after undergoing
surgery on both hands: “I’m good, I’m all clear. I’m back at
training now, so yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m just waiting for a date
for the belt. I want my belt back. I’ve been grappling for a few
weeks now. I just kind of took my time a little bit with the
striking. I haven’t got a fight coming up, so I thought, let me
just focus on the grappling. I healed so quickly this time. It was
like nine weeks since surgery, which is really quick.“— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
October 27, 2026