Dakota Ditcheva Triumphs Over Sumiko Inaba Despite Hand Injury at PFL Champions Series
Dakota Ditcheva overcomes a hand injury to dominate Sumiko Inaba at the PFL Champions Series in South Africa, extending her unbeaten streak to 15 fights.






Dakota Ditcheva showcased her resilience and skill at the PFL Champions Series in South Africa, defeating Sumiko Inaba by unanimous decision despite suffering a hand injury during the fight. The Manchester fighter dominated the bout from the start, utilizing her superior clinch work and striking to keep Inaba at bay.
Ditcheva's strategy was evident early on as she initiated the clinch and delivered several damaging knees. In the second round, she stunned Inaba with a sharp elbow followed by a flurry of strikes. Despite Inaba's courage and durability, Ditcheva remained in control, even after injuring her hand in the final round.
With the crowd chanting her name, Ditcheva adapted her approach, using kicks to maintain distance and secure her victory. She later revealed that she had re-signed with the PFL, expressing her excitement for future competitions.
In the main event, Spain's Costello van Steenis achieved a dramatic victory over Johnny Eblen to claim the PFL middleweight title, finishing the fight with a rear-naked choke just nine seconds before the end.
This event marked a significant milestone as the first major MMA event in Africa, with Ditcheva praising the enthusiastic crowd for their support.