PFL New York live blog: Dakota Ditcheva vs. Denise Kielholtz
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.
Preamble
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.
Pre Fight
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.
Round 1
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.
Round 2
Big body kick from Ditcheva lands early, and Kielholtz made a big reaction there. That knee to the body may have hurt her at the end of the round. Ditcheva charges in, and we get to a clinch. Kielholtz is trying to tie her up while Ditcheva goes for a knee. Kielholtz then hosses Ditcheva down with a head-and-arm throw, but she can’t hold the position for too long. And once she’s up, Ditcheva wags her finger at her. She smells blood.
Ditcheva snaps a jab in there, and she’s opening up. Kielholtz clinches again, but Ditcheva has the strong position and lands a knee to the body. Kielholtz goes down in the clinch but gets up before Ditcheva can put much damage on her.
But Kielholtz throws a naked kick, and Ditcheva catches it, taking her down! Kielholtz scrambles up but eats a shot or two for her trouble. We get into another clinch quickly, and Ditcheva trips Kielholtz down. Kielholtz is starting to wilt. Ditcheva in top-half. Kielholtz tying her up. Ditcheva lands a couple good shots and then stands up and lands a head kick. Kielholtz still in there battling.
Another clinch, and Kielholtz isn’t going away. Her face is a bit busted up though. And Ditcheva lands a sharp jab. Then a switch right hand. Front kick, Kielholtz tries to spin and falls down; Ditcheva follows her down. Kielholtz tries to throw up an armbar and gets elbowed for her trouble.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Ditcheva, 20-18 Ditcheva overall.
Round 3
