UK To Dubai: MMA Fighter Dakota Ditcheva Aims To Shatter Stereotypes, Champion More Women In The Sport

Carving a name out for herself in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at a young age, her recent move to Dubai has been a pivotal chapter in her story, bringing new challenges and opportunities that are reshaping her career and life.

“Coming here [Dubai] I knew the importance of doing it, even though I was struggling to move away from family but I just see it as so many opportunities over here,” she said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business.

The 25-year-old hopes to open her gym in Dubai, following her mother’s vision owning a gym in the UK, especially with the aim to “get more females involved.”

As a woman in the male-dominated sport, she highlighted a host of challenges she has had to face through the years. However, she notes that she has always been “fortunate.”

The stereotypes in the industry are something the fighter is acutely aware of, with people often assuming that being a fighter means she has to be tough and aggressive, but Ditcheva is determined to prove that she can be both a fierce competitor and maintain her femininity outside the cage.

Early beginnings: A fighter’s legacy

Ditcheva’s journey began long before she ever stepped into the cage. Her mother, a fighter herself, played a significant role in introducing her daughter to martial arts.

Growing up in a gym surrounded by the sights and sounds of training, she was naturally inclined towards the sport. However, she was keen to clarify that this was not something that was forced upon her.

“Mum used to be a fighter, so that’s where I get it from,” Dakota recalled. “But she never made me do it; it was something I came back to on my own.”

After a brief hiatus in her early years, Ditcheva returned to the sport with a renewed focus and dedication. Initially starting with Thai boxing, she transitioned to MMA about six years ago, and since then, she’s been unstoppable. Her professional career remains undefeated, a testament to a rigorous routine and training schedule.

The fighter recently made the tough decision to move away from her family and home in the UK to relocate to Dubai, a city she sees as an opportunity to pursue her future goals including championships, opening her gym and eventually venturing into a sportswear clothing line.

The decision to move was influenced by several factors, including the warm weather and the fitness culture that Dubai offers.

“In Dubai, I wake up and everyone is going to the gym, they’re eating super clean, the weather is nice and when I’m in that environment, I train the best,” she said.

The city’s growing interest in martial arts, particularly among women, is something Ditcheva is keen to foster. “Martial arts and fitness for women is still very new here,” she observed. With her mother’s gym in Manchester being one of the most female-friendly, she hopes to replicate that success in Dubai, inspiring more women to take up the sport.

The pressure to succeed: Into the mind of a fighter

For Ditcheva, success in MMA is not just about winning fights, it’s about maintaining a high standard of performance. She acknowledged the pressure that comes with being undefeated, but it’s a pressure she largely places on herself.

“I am really competitive, I always want to be number one. To me, there’s no second or third place,” she said. This mindset, instilled by her parents, has been crucial in her rise through the ranks of MMA.

Despite her fierce exterior in the cage, Ditcheva admitted to feeling nervous before her fights. “Those nervous feelings don’t ever go away,” she said, combatting this with a “mindset just set on winning.”

While her immediate goal is to secure the world championship belt in November, she is also planning for a life beyond fighting.

“I can’t fight forever,” she acknowledged. As she continues to break barriers and challenge stereotypes, Ditcheva is not just fighting for titles; she’s fighting for a future where women in martial arts is more widespread, recognised and achieved.

“I think the main challenge is the amount of girls that are involved in the sport. You say it’s a lot more now from when my mum used to fight, but I still think the more girls we can get involved, the more women we can get feeling comfortable in this sport,” she concluded.