Ditcheva On Fan Boos After PFL New York Decision

Dakota Ditcheva heard the boos at PFL New York and admitted they got under her skin.

Ditcheva dominated Denise Kielholtz over three rounds in the July 31 co-main event at UBS Arena, sweeping the scorecards after a year-long layoff. The crowd in Belmont Park, New York expected fireworks from the heavy betting favourite and jeered when the fight went the distance. "It bothered me," Ditcheva told reporters afterward, per MMA Fighting. "Only because I'm passionate about the work I do, and I wanted a stoppage meself."

Ditcheva Defends Patient Approach At PFL New York

The British flyweight said her corner's message kept her focused despite the hostile crowd. She noted that losing concentration even for a moment to worry about fan reaction could end with her getting knocked out. "I don't want them to boo, because I want to be exciting and entertaining for you guys, but at the same time, I'm in there fighting," she said. "I have to do what's right for me to get the win and come out on top, and that's what I did today."

Ditcheva framed the 15-minute fight as valuable cage time after the extended absence. Her coaches were pleased with the experience gained, even without the first-round stoppage she typically delivers. She worked on patience in camp and wants her striking to look polished rather than wild. "I'm trying to evolve as an athlete," she said. "I don't want to just be this fighter that is just throwing for the sake of it."

A championship bout with PFL titleholder Liz Carmouche appears to be next for Ditcheva, a matchup the promotion has teased for years.

Photo: 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard" / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — ‘It bothered me’: Dakota Ditcheva reacts to fans booing her fight with Denise Kielholtz at PFL New York | MMA Fighting