It looks like Dakota Ditcheva's return to the cage will be much sooner than many expected.
Ditcheva (16-0), a PFL tournament winner and one of the promotion's biggest names, has been medically cleared to compete after double hand surgery for injuries she sustained in her PFL New York fight in July. Ditcheva initially said she could be out for a year, but she recovered much faster than expected.
"I'm good. I'm all cleared, and I'm back in training now, so yeah, I'm ready to go," Ditcheva told Ariel Helwani. "I'm just waiting for a date for the belt. I'm cleared, and I've been grappling for a few weeks now, so yeah. I just kind of took my time a little bit with the striking. I don't have a fight coming up, so I was like, 'Let me just focus on the grappling.'
That works out well now that Jena (Bishop) is the person with the belt."
Earlier this month, Ditcheva was brought into the cage at PFL Chicago to face off with Jena Bishop, who defeated veteran Liz Carmouche to win the inaugural PFL women's flyweight title. Carmouche (26-9) entered as the favorite to win the belt, and had a bit of a rivalry with Ditcheva.
Many thought Carmouche vs. Ditcheva was bound to happen, but Bishop (12-3) spoiled those expectations. Unlike many, Ditcheva was not surprised by the result of the title fight.
"I wasn't shocked, no," Ditcheva said. "I feel like Jenna has definitely improved a lot, and I honestly think Liz was too bothered about me. She should've been bothered about Jena."
Ditcheva has yet to hear from PFL, which will turn into MVP MMA in 2027 due to their merger earlier this summer, of a date for her return. She'd like it to be in the first quarter of 2027, and expects it to be for the title against Bishop.
"Yeah, for sure. One hundred percent I am (fighting for the belt)," Ditcheva said. "I'm asking for February, maybe March, but I don't know whether they want to try to push it back a little bit. I don't know, but I want February or March, for sure."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dakota Ditcheva cleared from hand injury, eyes early 2027 title return
