Dakota Ditcheva and Cris Cyborg are discussing a potential superfight, with both fighters keen to make the bout happen.
Considered one of the greatest female mixed martial artists in history, 40-year-old Cris Cyborg is nearing the end of her illustrious career. In December, she defended her PFL featherweight title, defeating Sara Collins at PFL Lyon. After the fight, the Brazilian shocked the MMA world by challenging the 2024 PFL flyweight tournament champion, Dakota Ditcheva, to a superfight. Given the 9-kilogram difference between them, Ditcheva had not anticipated such a challenge at all.
"The Cyborg moment was crazy for me," Ditcheva told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday. "I was actually very happy because in January 2022, before I signed with PFL, I went to Canada for a fight and took a picture with Cyborg, as she was the guest star. I was so happy to take a picture with her! Another amazing woman in this sport. And now, a few years later, she's challenging me! That's crazy! I've only been in this sport for three years, and she's challenging me."
"So, actually, I was honored to be challenged by her, but I just don't think it makes much sense right now," she added.
However, Ditcheva stated she would be interested if Cyborg could drop to 61 kg (135 pounds), but under certain conditions.
"If Cyborg can make 61 kg and give me some time. She's had more time," Ditcheva said. "She says this is her last fight. I don't have that much time to gain weight. I'm not big for the 57 kg category. Losing weight isn't difficult for me at all. So I'd have to seriously build strength. But I would do it if she was even close to 61 kg. Pay me a lot of money and, yes, I'll get in the cage."
"With all due respect, she's not doing me a favor with this fight, I am," Ditcheva declared. "I, 100 percent, will be the one to generate more interest in this bout. It will be a superfight, but she's challenging me. She's choosing me. She needs me. She's not choosing anyone else. Leah has been challenging her for a long time, but she's not choosing her. It's certainly a superfight, but you need me to make it big. Obviously, from her side, it makes sense. I'm not challenging anyone from atomweight (48 kg). There's no logic. That's why I didn't pay attention. I don't like to feed people who just use my name."
Cyborg, however, insists that's not the case. Following Ditcheva's interview, the featherweight champion took to social media to agree to her terms, stating that dropping to 61 kg would no longer be an issue for her and that they could fight in the autumn.
"For superfights, you need two people. I can drop to 135 pounds for a superfight this autumn. Dakota Ditcheva, if this is a match you want... there's no bigger fight PFL can make for either of us. I'm 40. My body has much less muscle than when I was struggling to make 140 pounds."
As of now, there is no information from PFL regarding the organization's interest in arranging this bout.
Should Dakota lose, she would simply have fallen to a legend like Cyborg in a higher weight class, which wouldn't harm her reputation. For Cyborg, it would be an opportunity to end her career in the most spectacular way possible. However, if Dakota wins, she would skyrocket her popularity to new heights, while Cyborg is already nearing the end of her journey in the sport. The situation is a win-win for both sides.