Dakota Ditcheva is not any stranger to being within the highlight, however one factor she’s come to embrace in her rise within the MMA world is being referred to as “Barbie.” Whereas some would possibly think about it an insult, the undefeated British fighter has turned the moniker right into a supply of empowerment, utilizing it to gasoline her victory within the 2024 PFL Girls’s Flyweight Event.
Dakota Ditcheva on Barbie
Within the lead-up to her showdown with former UFC contender Taila Santos, Dakota Ditcheva was no stranger to the “Barbie” comparisons. After successful her European belt, Santos commented on Ditcheva’s publish, saying, “I need Barbie’s belt,” a comment that caught and added gasoline to the fireplace of their rivalry. However for Ditcheva, the nickname didn’t hassle her in any respect. As a substitute, she embraced it.
“I’m blonde, don’t appear like a fighter, nevertheless it was hate from my final opponent, Taila Santos,” Ditcheva shared talking with Bellator and UFC athlete Michael ‘Venom’ Web page. “Sure, that’s when it began. After I received my European belt, she commented beneath the publish saying, ‘I need Barbie’s belt.’”
Somewhat than viewing the remark as a slight, Ditcheva noticed it as a possibility to showcase the completely different sides of her persona, each as a fighter and as somebody who embraces her look. “Clearly, she’d simply come out of the UFC. Yeah, she was coming over to PFL and was like, ‘Okay.’ After which that’s what she’s simply run with the entire time now since she’s been with PFL.”
The playful jab did little to derail Dakota Ditcheva’s give attention to her final purpose. When the 2 met within the PFL Flyweight Event last in November 2024, Ditcheva delivered a dominant efficiency, stopping Santos within the second spherical with a flurry of physique photographs, capturing each the PFL world title and a $1 million prize.
Regardless of Santos’ expertise within the UFC, Dakota Ditcheva’s sharp putting abilities and relentless tempo made fast work of her opponent. It was a historic win for Ditcheva. But even after such a monumental victory, it was the “Barbie” nickname that had Ditcheva grinning. “I feel a great deal of folks have loved working with the entire Barbie factor now,” she stated, reflecting on how the nickname has grown on her. “Particularly my buddy—she did me a shock get together and made like a giant Barbie field.”
She’s embraced the nickname, turned it right into a enjoyable a part of her persona, and is proving that her abilities are extra than simply appears. “Calling me Barbie just isn’t an insult,” she stated, “It’s simply a part of who I’m.”
