Ditcheva outclasses Kielholtz on return from injury

Dakota Ditcheva has won all 16 of her professional MMA fights

>Dakota Ditcheva outclassed Denise Kielholtz as the Briton marked her return from injury with a comfortable win by unanimous decision at PFL New York.

>Ditcheva, who had not fought since breaking her left hand just over a year ago, extended the unbeaten start to her career to 16 fights.

>The win for Ditcheva, who triumphed in the PFL flyweight tournament in 2024, was a timely reminder to fans of why she is one of Britain's most talented and exciting fighters.

>Although Ditcheva could not add to her 12 career knockouts - nine of which have come in the first round - she outstruck Dutch fighter Kielholtz 102-64.

>Ditcheva's win cements her status as one of the biggest stars in the PFL just days after the organisation's merge with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), while MVP co-founder Jake Paul was cage-side to watch the fights at the UBS Arena.

>Ditcheva, 28, has had a frustrating year after her return was delayed in February when she suffered an injury to her opposite hand.

>But she displayed her trademark confidence during her walkout as she sported a relaxed smile, before quickly finding her groove after the opening bell.

>Using her superior height to her advantage, Ditcheva kept the 37-year-old Kielholtz at bay for the majority of the contest with a number of rangy kicks.

>Ditcheva did some of her best work with her jab, while a number of knees and kicks to the body hurt Kielholtz at the start of the second round.

>Kielholtz, who had won her past three fights before this bout, landed when she got in range but her punches often lacked the power of her British opponent.

>Ditcheva's striking is widely regarded as her most dangerous asset, but she also showcased her grappling with six successful takedowns, leaving little doubt as to who had won.

>The Briton did not give a post-fight interview but said pre-fight she is "enjoying her career" in the PFL, and "doesn't know" if she'll ever fight in the UFC.

>Ditcheva also hinted at a future boxing bout, with MVP's merge with the PFL opening the door to potential opportunities.

>MVP has invested heavily in women's boxing over the past five years and boasts an impressive stable of world champions, including Britons Caroline Dubois and Chantelle Cameron.

>In the main event, Russia's Usman Nurmagomedov knocked out America's Archie Colgan in the first round to retain his PFL lightweight title.

>Nurmagomedov, 28, rocked Colgan with a high kick, before finishing the contest with an uppercut to keep his undefeated record intact.

>The victory was the 22nd of Nurmagomedov's career as he made the second defence of his PFL belt.

>Nurmagomedov's win marked his sixth world title defence in total after the Bellator title was rebranded by the PFL in 2025.

>Following victory, Nurmagomedov paid tribute to training partner and UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

>"This is from sparring with UFC legend and champion Islam Makhachev, that's how you can improve," said Nurmagomedov.

>"Only one guy in the world pushes harder than me - Makhachev. That's why I follow him."

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