Latest news with #DakotaDitcheva
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
British MMA star reveals 'life or death' health situation which made her 'body shut down' - as she prepares to make long-awaited return to the cage
British MMA prospect Sammy-Jo Luxton detailed a harrowing medical emergency that left her fearing for her life and almost ended her career. The Manchester Top Team-trained fighter is set to make her long-awaited PFL debut on Saturday night when the promotion travels to the SSE Arena in Belfast for the first time. Luxton had been scheduled to make her promotional debut in June of last year before undergoing a significant ordeal that threatened to put paid to a promising start to her professional MMA career. After undergoing emergency surgery for a cysts in her ovaries, the former kickboxer developed sepsis following complications with the operation. The 26-year-old was forced to into an extended hospital stay after her body temperature rose to 42C. 'My body completely shut down, everything was a blur by that point,' Luxton told BBC Sport. Luxton has amassed nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and counts PFL star Dakota Ditcheva as an inspiration 'That completely wiped my year out so it was about trying to build my strength up slowly but surely afterwards. 'I took that as spending time with my friends and family and getting myself better, mentally and physically.' Despite forcing her to temporarily put her ambitions of becoming a world champion on hold, the undefeated flyweight explained that the ordeal has only served to strengthen her determination to become a success in MMA. She continued: 'It's taught me that I can come through anything. It was just me getting hit and I was standing up and then getting hit again and I was standing back up. 'I looked at it like a fight – if someone knocks me down eight times I'm going to get back up nine. 'Now I'm going to bring that into a fight. Nothing can touch me mentally or physically now because I've been through that.' Despite being just two fights into her burgeoning career inside the cage, Luxton has amassed a significant following on social media, with over 97,000 followers on Instagram. Speaking on her ambitions in MMA, Luxton revealed that she hopes to emulate PFL star Dakota Ditcheva who became Britain's first MMA world champion when she knocked out Talia Santos in November. 'Me and Dakota grew up together and fought on the same shows,' she added. 'Dakota has set the path. You've seen the money she can make, she's set her family up for life now and that's what I want to do - give back and give my family a good life.'
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
MMA: Dakota Ditcheva to fight in South Africa in PFL event
Dakota Ditcheva will face Sumiko Inaba in a non-title bout at the PFL's first fight night in Cape Town, South Africa on 26 July. The Manchester fighter has not competed since winning the PFL flyweight world title last November and publicly berated the MMA promotion for failing to book her. Ditcheva, 26, will fight alongside former Bellator champion Johnny Eblen. He will be fighting in a 'world title' bout despite the Bellator titles being scrapped earlier this year. The PFL told Ditcheva and many of her fellow PFL 2024 champions and Bellator belt holders that they would be featuring at their PFL Champions Series events in 2025. Ditcheva and Eblen will headline the PFL's inaugural event in Africa, overseen by Francis Ngannou. The PFL Champions Series portion of the event will be after the opening round of an all-African tournament across several weight classes. Unbeaten American fighter Eblen, 33, will defend his world title against the Netherlands' Costello van Steenis. Inaba, 34, was a regular in the Bellator flyweight division but was not part of the PFL's 2024 flyweight tournament. Ditcheva ran through the competition to become the first British woman to win a major MMA world title. The Englishwoman is unbeaten in 14 fights with 13 finishes.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July
PFL's debut event in Africa will feature two of the promotion's biggest stars. PFL Africa, led by chairman Francis Ngannou, officially is set to launch July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning. Headlining the event will be Bellator champion Johnny Eblen (16-0), who defends his middleweight title against Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, 2024 PFL women's flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) meets Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba (8-1). 𝘼𝙁𝙍𝙄𝘾𝘼. 𝙒𝙀 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙂 😤 PFL Africa launches Saturday 26th July at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa! New stars will be born ⭐️ Champions will emerge 👑 History will be made 🔥#PFLCapeTown | Saturday July 26⁰GrandWest Arena | South Africa — PFLAfrica (@PFLAfrica) May 7, 2025 The fights featuring Eblen and Ditcheva are taking place under the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai branding, with three more expected to follow. It'll mark Eblen's first action since Oct. 19, 2024 when he defended his belt against Fabian Edwards. Ditcheva will compete for the first time since Nov. 29, 2024 when she defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in the 2024 women's flyweight final. The PFL Africa portion of the card marks the launch of the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, which features eight-man brackets in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. As of now, half of each field is set, with the PFL saying it will announce the remaining bouts soon. The current PFL Africa card includes: Johnny Eblen vs. Costello van Steenis – for middleweight title Dakota Ditcheva vs. Sumiko Inaba Justin Clarke vs. Jashell Ticha Awa – PFL Africa heavyweight quarterfinal Mahmoud Atef vs. Nkosi Ndebele – PFL Africa bantamweight quarterfinal Abdoullah Kane vs. Mohammad Ben Yahia – PFL Africa heavyweight quarterfinal Abderrahman Errachidy vs. Simbarashe Hokonya – PFL Africa bantamweight quarterfinal This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva return at inaugural PFL Africa event
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
PFL Africa Launches With Historic Event In Cape Town
PFL Cape Town Credit: PFL The Professional Fighters League has officially launched PFL Africa, its latest international expansion and the third regional league under its umbrella. The move also fulfills a key part of the organization's agreement with Francis Ngannou, who was promised a leadership role in the development of the Africa branch. The organization will launch with a historic event in Cape Town, South Africa at the GrandWest Arena. The event will feature the launch of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament with first-round matchups in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. In the headline bouts, Bellator middleweight champion and now 185-pound PFL kingpin, Johnny Eblen will defend his title against Spain's Costello van Steenis. In the co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva, arguably the PFL's biggest star, will face Sumiko Inaba. RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 25: Johnny Eblen celebrates after defeating Impa Kasanganay during ... More the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 25, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by) Getty Images Those two bouts will top off a set of five PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai fights. The other three fights will be announced at a later time. 'Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent as well as provide pathways for African fighters to compete on a global stage and become champions,' said Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. 'With PFL Europe, PFL MENA and now PFL Africa launching, PFL's international growth strategy and footprint is unmatched in the sport. This is all made possible by building a great team. I'm proud to partner with Francis Ngannou and Helios Sports & Entertainment Group and excited to welcome Elias Schulze as GM of PFL Africa.' NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 25: Dakota Ditcheva celebrates after defeating Katherine Corogenes ... More during the 2022 PFL Championships at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 25, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by) Getty Images PFL Africa launches with distribution partnerships with Canal+ to enhance coverage across sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to Canal+, SuperSport is an additional distributor. PFL has also launched a mobile-first platform through a partnership with CFM (Content for Mobile) with the aim of delivering affordable fight content to fans across the continent of Africa. According to the press release provided, PFL projects its content will now be accessible in 90% of homes across Africa. Ngannou will serve as the Chairman for PFL Africa, and according to the press release, he will play 'a central role in developing the next generation of African champions and shaping the league's long-term growth.' To bolster the efforts, PFL has partnered with Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, an investor in NBA Africa as a key capital partner. Schulze will serve as the General Manager of PFL Africa to oversee its launch and expansion. 'We are proud to partner with the Professional Fighters League to help bring PFL Africa to life. This initiative aligns with Helios' mission to back high-growth, high-impact ventures across the continent. With the leadership of Francis Ngannou and a strong local foundation, PFL Africa has the potential to become a transformative platform for African athletes, fans, and the broader sports ecosystem,' said Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Helios Investment Partners. As for the PFL Africa Tournament, here is a list of the brackets and matchups headed to the prelims in Cape Town. Heavyweights Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) of Cameroon faces Justin Clarke (2-0) of South Africa Abdoullah Kane (3-0) of Senegal meets Mohammad Ben Yahia (9-4) of Morocco Bantamweights Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) of South Africa takes on Mahmoud Atef (5-2) of Egypt Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) of Zimbabwe battles Abderrahman Errachidy (4-1) of Morocco The remaining tournament bouts will be announced at a later time.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July
Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva to compete in inaugural PFL Africa event in July PFL's debut event in Africa will feature two of the promotion's biggest stars. PFL Africa, led by chairman Francis Ngannou, officially is set to launch July 26 at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, promotion officials announced Wednesday morning. Headlining the event will be Bellator champion Johnny Eblen (16-0), who defends his middleweight title against Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, 2024 PFL women's flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) meets Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba (8-1). The fights featuring Eblen and Ditcheva are taking place under the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai branding, with three more expected to follow. It'll mark Eblen's first action since Oct. 19, 2024 when he defended his belt against Fabian Edwards. Ditcheva will compete for the first time since Nov. 29, 2024 when she defeated former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in the 2024 women's flyweight final. The PFL Africa portion of the card marks the launch of the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, which features eight-man brackets in the heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. As of now, half of each field is set, with the PFL saying it will announce the remaining bouts soon. The current PFL Africa card includes:
