Overview
- Cris Cyborg publicly called out Dakota Ditcheva and pledged on social media that she can make 135 pounds for a potential fall retirement bout, calling it the biggest fight the PFL can stage.
- Ditcheva told Ariel Helwani she was honored but said the matchup "didn’t make very much sense" unless Cyborg makes 135, she has more time to prepare, and the purse is significant.
- The 27-year-old noted she is not a large 125-pounder and cannot quickly add size, emphasizing that weight, timing, and money are the primary hurdles.
- Ditcheva confirmed a broken hand forced her off the Feb. 7 PFL Dubai card and said she is aiming to return in April or May with hopes of two or three fights in 2026.
- Addressing fantasy matchmaking, Ditcheva praised UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko as the GOAT but called a cross-promotion bout unlikely and fraught with legacy optics for both sides.