Dakota Ditcheva 2-0-0 is an English amateur Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Flyweight Division, representing Manchester Top Team. An amateur competitor since 2019 and a professional competitor since April 2021. Dakota has competed for Celtic Gladiator, Almighty Fighting Championship, Caged Steel and Preston based organisation UKFC.
I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Dakota, how has training been going in the build-up to your highly anticipated bout at UKFC 17?
“Training’s going well thank you. It’s been a bit of a crazy camp this time, had lots of things going on but aside from that training’s been going great. I feel like I’m improving all the time in the gym so that’s the main thing. I just can’t wait to get in the cage now and fight.”
November 27th, you return to where it all began. But this time as a professional competitor when you take on Ugiloy Nasimova of Rakhmat Fight Club. How does it feel to make your return back to the place it all began?
“I’m so excited to be fighting on UKFC again! Probably more excited to just be part of the show again than the actual fight haha. I made my amateur debut on their show and then returned to fight for my amateur title as well so I feel like these guys are a massive part of my journey. I think it’s only right that I come back to fight as a pro. I’ll be the co-main event on this card as well which I’m very grateful for, can’t wait to put on a show for everyone.”
With restrictions being lifted for a while now and everything in the mixed martial arts world going back to normal, it must be such a relief to get back to normality. Many fighters I have spoken to had their regime while gyms were closed, did you adopt a similar regime during lockdown?
“Lockdown was tough!! Tough for everyone but I did struggle at first. I was going through a crazy time anyway and then when the gym got taken away from me, I felt very very lost! The gym is my whole life. Very cliche but I don’t do anything else. I get up in the morning and I go training. I come home for a bit and then I’m back at the gym later. Then I repeat the same thing the next day haha. When full lockdown came, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had to find a whole new routine. I was one of the lucky ones I suppose. My brother and my mum are 2 of my coaches so I was able to matt a room out in my house and hit some pads with them. I got into a nice little routine actually, my s&c coach also set me up with a home programme so I was lucky I could still keep ticking over.”
As previously stated, at UKFC 17 you take on Ugiloy Nasimova, I know it’s uncommon for fighters to study their opponents too much before, but have you seen Ugiloy in action, what do you make of your opponent for next month?
“If I’m really honest, I don’t usually study my opponents. I normally leave it to my coaches and let their feedback to me what they think. However, this time I did sit down and watch her previous fights. She looks like a tough girl, her stand up is strong. I think we both very much prefer to stand up and fight so it could turn into a stand-up war! Anything can happen though. People change their mind after they’ve been hit in the face a few times don’t they, lol!.”
Without giving too much away, what can fight fans come to expect on your return to the Preston based organisation in November. This is your third professional outing and as previously stated, your return to where it all started. I bet you’re determined to make a lasting impression?
“Someone once answered this question for me when I was asked by someone else. They said ‘expect the opposite of what she looks like haha. So I might just leave them with that. Expect a girl who’s coming to fight. and I hope you enjoy it!”
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to shout out to?
“A special thank you to all my team and sponsors. Manchester Top Team, Northern spirit, Soma Fitness and HD Fight Management. Without them, I wouldn’t be living my dream every day. Big good luck to my teammates who are also fighting on the same card. Looking forward to a successful night for us all.
UKFC has brought fight fans 18 of the most explosive nights of pure unadulterated organised violence the MMA world has seen. From giving the proverbial road to gifted amateur’s all over the country to hosting an amazing set of professional fighters like Dakota. UKFC17 is no exception, the stage is almost set for yet another set of wars at the Imperial Banqueting Suite North in Preston on November 27th. I wish all warriors the best of luck.
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