Dakota Ditcheva slams Ronda Rousey over Khamzat Chimaev cleft palate comment

Dakota Ditcheva is no longer a Ronda Rousey fan after the UFC Hall of Famer mocked Khamzat Chimaev's cleft palate.

The PFL flyweight champion took to social media to blast Rousey for the comment, per Sherdog, calling it "absolutely disgraceful" and announcing she'd lost all respect for the former bantamweight titleholder. "As a mother, you should know better," Ditcheva wrote. "The amount of young children navigating difficulties like that while you sit on a worldwide stage mocking it. Do better."

PFL champion distances herself from former role model

Ditcheva clarified her position after drawing criticism from trolls who pointed out her willingness to overlook controversies involving male fighters. She explained that Rousey had been a genuine inspiration to her as a young woman in the sport, unlike other controversial figures whose cage skills she appreciated without viewing them as role models. "As a young woman & fighter, I have always looked up to Ronda & been inspired by her," she posted.

Chimaev underwent multiple surgeries as a child to correct his cleft lip and palate. The condition affects thousands of children annually and can impact speech, eating, and facial development. Ditcheva's criticism comes as Chimaev prepares for his next bout following his controversial loss to Arman Tsarukyan earlier this year.

Source: sherdog.com