Outside Source
Sumiko Inaba has a big opportunity in front of her. | Dave Mandel
In her first fight since winning the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight championship, rising star Dakota Ditcheva returns to action at PFL Cape Town to take on Sumiko Inaba.
A staple in Bellator MMA, where she had eight of her nine career professional fights, Inaba poses an interesting matchup against Ditcheva, as both women are respected as high-level strikers.
Advertisement
This will be Inaba’s second official fight with the PFL after besting Saray Orozco at a regular season event in June 2024. Her last professional appearance came in September 2024 at Bellator Champions Series San Digeo, where she defeated Mackenzie Stiller by second-round TKO. Ahead of what will be the biggest fight of her career thus far, Inaba spoke to Sherdog.com about facing Ditcheva, how she feels the matchup will play out and the opportunity she has under the PFL banner.
While she was searching for an opponent, Inaba says she felt as if she manifested the fight against Ditcheva when she realized the champion didn’t have many suitors. As the PFL women’s flyweight world tournament has been happening, there was no clear matchup for Ditcheva. While Inaba had the option to join the tournament, she decided to wait, and the fight with Ditcheva became available.
“I honestly feel like I manifested this fight,” Inaba said. “I got the call while I was training in San Diego and I heard an interview where she was talking about being active but not knowing who she was going to fight. That’s when I thought ‘Why not give her my name?’ and then I got the call shortly after. It was meant to be. All the stars aligned and I’m more than excited for it.”
Inaba Appreciates Ditcheva’s Impact in PFL
An undeniable star since she arrived on the scene in PFL Europe, Ditcheva has had a major impact on not only the PFL in general, but also the women who compete in the organization. As a result, Inaba has appreciation for her upcoming opponent.
“It’s huge what she’s doing in the PFL,” Inaba said. “I was a fan of hers before I was an opponent, so I love what she’s doing. Anything that pushes women’s MMA, I’m all for and she’s a huge face of the PFL and I love seeing that for the sport. To be competing against someone at the level, I’m grateful for the opportunity. It shows where I am as well.”
Facing a woman that she has described as the face of the promotion, Inaba recognizes the opportunity that lies ahead for her if she’s able to defeat Ditcheva.
“As I said, she’s the face of the PFL, a win over her would be huge,” Inaba said. “This fight against her is the biggest opportunity I’ve had in my career and I’m excited to push myself. I need to be at a higher level, physically and mentally on that day. It pushes me to be better.”
With both women known for their striking, Inaba welcomes Ditcheva to the middle of the SmartCage and believes they both can throw down.
“I’m a striker as well as her, that’s just the natural fighter in me,” she said. “Toe-to-toe, there’s going to be fireworks. We are going to exchange. We’re both mixed martial artists and I think just based off history, we’ll meet in the middle and just go exchange.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
