Dakota Ditcheva says successive hand injuries have changed how she views her mixed martial arts career and life after fighting. Ahead of her return to the Professional Fighters League against Denise Kielholtz in New York, the unbeaten British-Bulgarian fighter said time away from competition has reinforced the need to develop interests and financial security beyond the cage.

Ditcheva, 28, has not fought since breaking her left hand against Sumiko Inaba in July 2025, while a planned February return was delayed by an injury to her right hand. The 2024 PFL flyweight champion won $1m (£740,000) and has 15 professional victories, 13 by knockout or submission; she co-founded a premium mineral water business in January 2025 and cited fighters’ lack of pensions as a reason for planning ahead. She also expressed sympathy for retired UFC fighter Dustin Poirier, saying the loss of competition, routine and adrenaline can be difficult for fighters to manage.