Dakota Ditcheva is still perfect after dominating a game Sumiko Inaba.
Saturday’s UFC Africa co-main event saw Ditcheva score a commanding unanimous decision win over Inaba (8-2) to improve her pro record to 15-0. The Englishwoman consistently beat Inaba to the punch for three rounds and when the final bell rang, the outcome was clear.
During the bout, it appeared Ditcheva complained of a hand injury and she confirmed in her post-fight interview that she was at less than 100 percent for a portion of the fight.
An emotional Dakota Ditcheva looks forward to her future with the PFL. #PFLCapeTown | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/PHMsdi2Zkw
— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 19, 2025
“I think I’ve injured my left hand, but I think I’m just more gutted because I’ve been out for so long and then I’ve come back and I’m injured again,” Ditcheva said. “But I hope you guys enjoyed it anyway, thank you so much.”
Inaba was a massive underdog heading into the fight and she came out looking to play spoiler, rushing at Ditcheva in Round 1 and relying on her toughness to deal with Ditcheva’s accurate strikes. Ditcheva used her size and strength to clinch and slow Inaba down, then began to pull away on the cards with slick work on the feet.
Dakota Ditcheva comes out HOT. #PFLCapeTown | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/22nvTSM1pD
— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 19, 2025
Dakota Ditcheva is showing off. #PFLCapeTown | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/y5Kfs52Byj
— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 19, 2025
Front kicks, body shots, and crisp combinations were Ditcheva’s weapons of choice and though she couldn’t land a knockout blow, she put plenty of damage on Inaba for 15 minutes. Inaba had moments where she fired back, but Ditcheva was rarely in danger as she cruised to the decision victory in front of an appreciative crowd in Cape Town, South Africa.
This is Ditcheva’s first outing since she won the 2024 PFL flyweight tournament crown and she now sets herself up to face the winner of the 2025 final between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop, which takes place on Aug. 15.
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