Dakota Ditcheva suffers double hand fracture after latest victory

PFL fighter Dakota Ditcheva has confirmed she suffered fractures to both hands during her recent victory over Denise Kielholtz, an injury that will sideline her just months after similar setbacks. Ditcheva defeated the Dutch fighter by unanimous decision at the PFL event in New York earlier this month, marking her return to the cage after more than a year. She landed 102 significant strikes to her opponent's 64, extending her undefeated professional record to 16 fights. The 28-year-old stated she realised she was injured at the start of the second round but chose not to inform her corner. She said she felt it immediately and kept it hidden until she left the cage. Ditcheva is currently in splints and is awaiting a consultation with her surgeon to determine the next steps. One injury involves the hand she opted not to have surgery on last year, while the other is a small fracture in a finger. She admitted she took a risk hoping the hand would hold up, but is now paying the price. In 2024, Ditcheva became the first British woman to win a major world title in mixed martial arts by claiming the PFL flyweight championship, earning a $1 million (£787,000) prize. Reflecting on her recovery, she expressed frustration but remains determined, stating that while she has struggled emotionally over the past week, she is confident this injury will not end her career and hopes for a faster return than her previous layoff.