How injury changed Ditcheva's outlook on life beyond MMA

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Dakota Ditcheva won the PFL flyweight title in 2024ByKeifer MacDonaldBBC Sport journalistWhen Dakota Ditcheva makes her PFL return against Denise Kielholtz in New York City on Friday night, she will do so with a very different mindset.It has been a year like no other for Ditcheva, who has been sidelined by injury since breaking her left hand against Sumiko Inaba in July 2025.The British-Bulgarian, unbeaten in her 15-fight professional career, was scheduled to return against Keilholtz in February, but the fight was postponed after she suffered another significant injury, this time to her right hand.For Ditcheva, who won the PFL flyweight tournament and $1m (£740,000) in 2024, her time away has underlined the importance of building a successful career outside the cage."It has been tough, and I have been really lucky that I am building things outside of the sport where I have other things I can do and keep busy," Ditcheva told BBC Sport."That has always been a really big thing for me. I always say that when I am done being a fighter, I want to be set up in other things because these moments, where things are taken away from you, kind of give you an insight into what life is going to be like when you stop fighting. Like, 'now what?"'It is something her mother, Lisa Howarth, understands only too well. A former kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, Howarth successfully built a career in the police after retiring from combat sports."She has always said right from the beginning that you need to set something up because she didn't really do that," Ditcheva said."She had an amazing career afterwards because of the type of person she is, but she didn't set anything up that she could have got from the sport."In January 2025, Ditcheva, 28, took her first steps into the world of business by co-founding a premium mineral water brand. "Back in England, you get a pension after you've finished some jobs, so you're set up for later in life. Fighters don't get that," Ditcheva said."Our promotions don't take a cut of our money to save for after we've retired."Ditcheva offers support for Poirier after arrestWhile some fighters struggle financially, with pay continuing to be a topic of debate, others find it difficult to replace the routine of a training camp and the sense of purpose provided by having a fight date to work towards.In June, ex-UFC fighter Dustin Poirier, who trained with Ditcheva at American Top Team, said he was "at the point where I need some help" after being arrested for alleged public drunkenness.Ditcheva says she has not spoken directly with Poirier but, having spent 12 months on the sidelines, recognises how the absence of training and fighting can take a toll."It is sad to see a lot of people online saying what they are saying because he [Poirier] is just a normal guy who is struggling with a feeling that not one person outside of the sport will understand," Ditcheva said."Unless you can feel the adrenaline rush we get, and understand that it's a feeling you can't get from anything else, you won't understand what he is going through after giving up fighting."I think he's doing the right thing, from what I have seen online, and focusing on himself. That's the best thing he can do."'UFC is not going to define me' Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Dakota Ditcheva has picked up 13 of her 15 victories by knockout or submissionDitcheva has been a dominant force in the organisation, winning all 10 of her fights and securing seven of those victories in the opening round.That has led to suggestions that a move to the UFC could be on the horizon, though Ditcheva told BBC Sport she still has five fights remaining on her contract.But earlier this month, Ditcheva's manager said her current PFL deal would make her one of the highest-paid female fighters in the UFC."I'm enjoying my career. I'm living a good life. I'm changing my family's life here at the PFL, and I feel like it is suiting me right now," Ditcheva said."Will I go over to the UFC one day? I don't know. Maybe that's not in my plan any more. Maybe I'll box. I don't know."On Thursday, the PFL announced it had agreed to merge with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions - making staying put an even more attractive prospect.That opens the door to potentially moving into the sphere of boxing and could also produce opportunities of super-fights in MMA."You see every fighter say they want to go to the UFC, and that used to be me," Ditcheva said. "I don't know whether it is any more. I feel like my goals are changing all the time, and the opportunities I'm getting I'm really enjoying."Is the UFC the be-all and end-all? I don't know any more."It's not something that will ever define me. If I end my career and I have never been to the UFC, nobody is going to make me feel bad online about it."If I end my career having been undefeated, I'm still undefeated and the number one flyweight whether I go to the UFC or not."More MMA from the BBC