Dakota Ditcheva, 28, suffered both hand fractures during her victory over Denise Kielholtz at PFL New York. She had not fought since July 2025 due to a prior left-hand injury, followed by a right-hand fracture five months later. Despite winning by unanimous decision, Ditcheva fought most of the contest with broken hands. "I broke my hands in the fight," she revealed on YouTube. She avoided surgery last year on one hand, risking recurrence, which now forces her into splints. "I paid the price for not operating," she said. Ditcheva, with a 16-fight unbeaten streak, awaits surgical decisions in the coming days.

The injuries highlight Ditcheva's resilience. Her decision to forgo surgery on one hand earlier this year backfired, leading to the current setback. "The hand not operated on broke again," she explained. Her recovery timeline depends on her surgeon's assessment.

Fans are concerned about her future. Ditcheva's history of hand injuries raises questions about her long-term career. "I hope to return stronger," she stated, though no return date is set. Her fight against Kielholtz marked her first in over a year, underscoring the physical toll of her choices.