Ditcheva Rejects 'Diva' Label After Carmouche Complaints

Dakota Ditcheva denied picking her opponents and rejected complaints that she operates as the diva of PFL's flyweight division.

The promotion's biggest star was supposed to face Denise Kielholtz in February after recovering from injury but suffered another setback that pushed the bout to Friday's New York card. Bellator veteran Liz Carmouche has been the obvious challenge all along, and in Ditcheva's absence Carmouche questioned why the Brit was getting special treatment. Ditcheva told MMA Fighting that the promotion approached her with Kielholtz both times and she accepted without negotiation. "I didn't choose this," she said. "PFL came to me and said 'do you want to fight Denise?' People talk about me being this golden child and the diva of the division type of thing. I don't ever pick my opponents."

Ditcheva Open To Carmouche Bout, Belt Or No Belt

Ditcheva acknowledged that a Carmouche matchup would be ideal for the division, especially with a championship involved, but rejected any suggestion that she or the promotion are avoiding it. She said she would fight the American with or without a belt at stake as long as it secures her spot at the top. Carmouche's trash talk during the layoff did not register with Ditcheva, who said she has heard similar attempts to rattle her from past opponents. "It just sounds so familiar to everyone else," she said. "I'm sure Liz is a really nice lady. But I'm not bothered by the whole trash talk thing."

Ditcheva returns Friday against Kielholtz after a year out of competition. If she wins, the Carmouche fight would be next in line by process of elimination.

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• MMA Fighting — Dakota Ditcheva responds to Liz Carmouche, complaints about her being the ‘diva of the division’ in PFL