PFL Europe finals: Dakota Ditcheva says knockout power 'is in her mum's genes'
- Published
Ditcheva has stopped her opponent in all four fights since joining the PFL last year
When Dakota Ditcheva fights, fans have started to expect something extraordinary to happen.
The British flyweight, 25, has a resume unlike many in women's MMA, with seven knockouts in nine fights, five coming in the first round.
The knockout ability is unusual for a female fighter but puts her on a par with MMA legends Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg. The future UFC champions both had six stoppages in their first nine fights.
During her last bout in September, Manchester's Ditcheva - a former British Muay Thai champion - showcased her world class striking, stopping Cornelia Holm with a sharp left jab to the body which left the Swede wincing on the canvas in pain.
In victory, Ditcheva reached the PFL Europe finals where she faces Italy's Valentina Scatizzi at the 3Arena in Dublin on Friday, with the winner securing a $100,000 (£79,000) prize.
Ditcheva is once again a heavy favourite because of her high finish rate - a trait she says she has inherited from her mum, Lisa Howarth, who is a former kickboxing world champion and remains a key member of her training entourage.
"I get my fighting genes from my mum. I think that [winning by knockout] is why I've got so much hype around me because I do get the finishes and you don't often see that with women," said Ditcheva.
"I'll have to give my mum the credit for that and for what she has taught me in striking since the very beginning. That's why I've still got her on my side now."
After her win over Holm, Ditcheva - a big Manchester City fan - emulated striker Erling Haaland's trademark celebration by sitting cross-legged and pretending to meditate.
"I was actually thinking about it in the corner [at the end of the second round], so subconsciously [the knockout] is in my mind but at the same time I'm not too fixated on it," said Ditcheva.
"If it happens, it happens, but it is good for media, it's what people want to see and it's how you draw the attention and keep your fans."
Ditcheva's mum will be in Dublin to watch the bout, alongside a "special guest" - her grandmother.
"She never watched my mum fight live so this is a first for her. I've managed to get her over so I need to make sure I get this win for her," said Ditcheva.
"I'm excited to have her there, it's what I wanted, but I'm surprised she's coming. I am a little bit worried in case she panics. She doesn't like to watch it and that's why she never watched my mum.
"To have her there and know she is supporting me makes me feel like I need to make sure I get it over quickly for her so she can cool down and chill out."
'As long as I stay busy with fights, I'm happy'
Ditcheva (right) has eight stoppages in nine fights
Originally, a victory for each fighter in the PFL Europe finals would have seen them advance to the promotion's global tournament, where each weight class yields a $1m (£794,000) prize for eventual winners.
But following the PFL's acquisition of Bellator in a "transformative deal", many fighters remain unsure of the direction the new combined company will take, including Ditcheva.
"The plan was that as long as I win this tournament then I would go into the main season next year, but I'm not sure what their plans are with me now," said Ditcheva.
"They could put me in the tournament or give me straight fights, I'm not too sure. My main focus is winning, I've got to win this belt. I don't want to jump too far ahead, I just want to bring this belt home first.
"Bellator has a lot of highly-talented girls so I'm quite happy if it works out for me to get some good matches and good experience. As long as I stay busy and they give me fights next year, then I'll be happy to roll with it."
Elsewhere on the card London's Simeon Powell takes on Jakob Nedoh in the light-heavyweight final, while Ireland's Frans Mlambo faces Khurshed Kakhorov for the bantamweight championship.
Fellow Irishman John Mitchell also competes against Jakub Kaszuba for lightweight gold.