This is the live blog for Dakota Ditcheva vs. Denise Kielholtz, the women’s flyweight co-main event for Friday’s PFL card at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York.
Considered one of the faces of PFL, Ditcheva is the 2024 PFL flyweight tournament champion. However, “Dangerous” has been out of action for over a year, stymying some of the great momentum she carried off that win. Now back in the mix, Ditcheva hopes to make a statement against Kielholtz that will get her a shot at the PFL title.
A former Muay Thai fighter, Kielholtz spent most of her MMA career in Bellator, where she’s a one-time title challenger, losing by split decision. That precipitated a rough patch for Kielholtz, but she’s since rebounded, putting together three consecutive wins, including a decision win in her PFL debut in February.
Check out the live blog for Ditcheva vs. Kielholtz below.
Well, I’ll give the new-look MVPFL this: this event has MOVED. Sure, there’s been more Jake Paul than I’d personally want, but the pacing has been good, and here we are, at the co-main event already. Let’s see how fun Kielholtz can make this.
Oh wow. Kielholtz is already in the cage when we come back from commercial. ESPN ain’t playing. We’re moving through this thing.
Ditcheva gets a fun promo package before her walkout starts. And then she gets some pretty epic music before she walks down to the cage. Full star treatment for this lady. That being said, she’s not much of a show-woman when it comes to this. She’s just sort of vibing.
Ditcheva is 9 years younger, 5 inches taller, and heavier, too. Kielholtz came in under the 125 limit. She’s a MONSTER betting favorite.
We get to the introductions, and honestly, Kielholtz looks like a lamb to slaughter. Maybe she’s just being very serious. Ditcheva, meanwhile, is all smiles.
Alright, let’s see how long this lasts.
Ditcheva switches stances immediately. She is cartoonishly bigger in there. Full weight-class difference. And Ditcheva fires straight punches right away. Kielholtz is feinting a lot, trying to open up entries in close. Ditcheva staying busy at the start with kicks into punches. Nothing committed, just touching. Kielholtz trying some calf kicks. But Ditcheva doing the same.
To her credit, Kielholtz doesn’t look rattled; she’s just struggling with Ditcheva’s right hand. The range is long. And Ditcheva can step in, hit, and get out of the way. Kielholtz keeps going for inside calf kicks, but those aren’t as damaging as outside shots. Kielholtz is trying to stick when she can, and lands a decent counter left hook as Ditcheva got too frisky.
Crowd getting a bit restless as the pace for this one has not been especially high. Ditcheva hides a question mark kick in there. Ditcheva is just probing all the areas of attack. As she comes in, Kielholtz grabs her and Ditcheva tries for a Thai plum. Kielholtz powers her to the fence, and some spins and pummels here. Ditcheva lands a few decent knees before they break free.
Nice right hand for Ditcheva lands as Kielholtz comes crashing in. Best punch of the fight. But Kielholtz eats it well. And Ditcheva blitzes forward and lands a BIG knee to the body as the bell sounds, possibly afterward.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ditcheva.
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