RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesUNCASVILLE, CT - JUNE 13: Dakota Ditcheva celebrates after defeating Chelsea Hackett during PFL 2024 week 4 at the Mohegan Sun Arena on June 13, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dakota Ditcheva makes her return to the SmartCage against former Bellator Kickboxing Champion Denise Kielholtz as part of the upcoming PFL New York fight card on Friday night (July 31, 2026) from inside UBS Arena in Belmont Park, Long Island.
The undefeated Ditcheva (15-0) is already planning her post-fight celebration, which draws inspiration from WNBA star ( and part-time Octagon girl ) Sophie Cunningham.
“I’ve got my celebration,” Ditcheva, 28, told Ariel Helwani . “Sophie is great. I feel like she’s doing really well. Her and Caitlin [Clark] get a lot of stick, and I feel like Sophie’s funny because you see clips of her getting fouled all the time. Then, one day, she just switches, and she’s giving it back now.”
Ditcheva expects to win by knockout and mimic Cunningham’s prolonged finger point . That said, she plans on pointing to the camera and not her opponent because she “respects Denise.” As Ilia Topuria can tell you, there’s nothing respectful about planning a celebration for a fight you haven’t won.
The former UFC lightweight champion was also undefeated heading into UFC White House back in June and held a victory celebration for his defeat over Justin Gaethje the day before their actual fight. Then Topuria got his ass kicked by “The Highlight,” forcing “El Matador” to quit on his stool.
Dakota Ditcheva reveals she already has her celebration planned for Saturday, and it pays homage to Sophie Cunningham 👇 "My brother keeps saying to me, 'You just need to win. Just relax.' But me, I'm like, 'I need a highlight reel…' And I've got my celebration. Sophie is… pic.twitter.com/3nviGJhMD3
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 28, 2026
For the rest of the PFL New York Fight Card click here .
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