Women’s flyweight tournament champion Dakota Ditcheva will not compete on the first PFL card of 2026 as planned.
Ditcheva, who won her 125-pound title as part of the 2024 PFL Global season (before their World Tournament format), has fought just once since that win and remains a perfect 15-0 in her professional fighting career.
The English striker was scheduled to return to PFL Dubai in February against Bellator alumnus Denise Kielholtz. However, promotion officials announced on Tuesday that Ditheva will not participate due to an injury.
No replacement has been announced for Kielholtz, and it’s unclear if she will remain on the card.
The nature of Ditcheva’s injury has not been disclosed.
“Dangerous” Dakota Ditcheva defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos to win gold in the 2024 PFL Global season, also picking up wins over Bellator vet Sumiko Inaba and BJJ world champion Jena Bishop. With Kayla Harrison jumping to the UFC, Ditcheva quickly filled the void as the female face of the promotion.
Kielholz (8-5) hasn’t stepped foot in the cage since 2023, when she defeated Sumiko Inaba. The Dutch fighter known as “Miss Dynamite” is the first and only Bellator women’s flyweight kickboxing world champion.
PFL: Road to Dubai takes place at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 7, 2026. Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alfie Davis for headlines in the lightweight championship.
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