Dakota Ditcheva throws a curveball, leaving Conor McGregor's efforts in vain

Key highlights

• Undefeated PFL champion Dakota Ditcheva will return to the PFL in July, dismissing speculation of a UFC move despite Conor McGregor 's support.
• Frustrated by a lengthy layoff since November due to the PFL's tournament structure, Ditcheva confirmed her return after discussions with PFL founder Donn Davis.
• Despite McGregor's endorsement and fan pressure for a UFC signing, Ditcheva remains loyal to the PFL, where she holds two championship titles.

Dakota Ditcheva, the undefeated PFL women's flyweight champion , has put an end to speculation about a potential UFC move despite Conor McGregor's public endorsement earlier this month. The British phenom confirmed she will return to the Professional Fighters League cage in July, effectively shutting down rumours of jumping ship to Dana White's promotion despite growing frustration with her extended layoff since November 2024.
Dakota Ditcheva confirms PFL return despite lengthy hiatusDakota Ditcheva has become a dominant force in women’s MMA with an impressive 14-0 professional record with 12 finishes. The 26-year-old champion was out of action after defeating former UFC title challenger Taila Santos last November as the PFL restructured its 2025 tournament format to an eight-woman bracket, where the reigning champion was surprisingly left out.

"I'm gutted that I haven't had anything just yet," Ditcheva told MMA Junkie. "I'm just like: Get me anything. Literally I get it's hard for PFL. They've put all the girls in the tournament. Now they have to find someone that's going to give me a good competition."

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According to the PFL broadcast, Dakota Ditcheva recently had productive discussions with PFL founder Donn Davis and confirmed her return is scheduled for July on the PFL Champions Series card, though no opponent has been named yet.
Conor McGregor's endorsement fails to lure the undefeated championWhen Conor McGregor encountered Dakota Ditcheva at BKFC 71 this month, the former two-division UFC champion embraced her and made a bold proclamation: "Great to see you, sweetheart. You're the next big thing, baby." Many interpreted this as McGregor spotting talent and potentially steering her toward the UFC.

But while Conor McGregor's star-making powers and social media fan pressure on his behalf calling for Dana White to sign Dakota Ditcheva have grown, she has decided to stay loyal to the promotion where she built her name. The fighter has also won the 2023 PFL Europe tournament and the 2024 full-season flyweight championship.

Dakota Ditcheva explained her absence from this year's tournament, saying, "I didn't really push too much for it, to be honest, but I was happy to go in it... I left it up to PFL whether they were going to put me in it or not. Would it have made sense for me to be in it? I'm not sure."

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Fans can expect to see Dakota Ditcheva back in action this July when she returns to defend her status as one of PFL's brightest stars.