Dakota Ditcheva: PFL champion celebrates historic victory with McDonald’s after golden year
One of the first things Dakota Ditcheva bought after winning her historic title last month was McDonald’s for her friends and family.
The 26-year-old defeated Taira Santos – She won the PFL flyweight belt, becoming the first British woman to win an MMA world title – and received $1 million (£787,000) in prize money.
Dicheva ordered chicken nuggets, chips and a Coke but did not enjoy her celebratory meal.
“I actually ended up giving the chicken nuggets to my brother because he forgot to order. So I just ended up getting chips and a Coke, but it was still delicious anyway,” Dicheva said with a laugh.
As video of her second-round knockout spread on social media, congratulations came from some of the biggest names in MMA.
Current and former champions Amanda Nunes, Kris Cyborg, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Kayla Harrison all paid tribute, but the most important message for DiCeva came from one An even more unlikely source.
Former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov.
“He was the one who stood out because we have been Manchester City fans our whole lives and it was a surreal moment,” she said.
“Even my friends were like ‘Oh my God, Paul Dickov messaged you, that’s my Manchester City legend’!”
Dicheva celebrated by exploring Riyadh with her family before flying to Florida, where she visited Disneyland with friends.
From ordering fast food, to living and breathing Manchester City, to spending time with loved ones – what’s important to her is maintaining a sense of normalcy.
“This is how I always wanted it to be. I don’t want anything to change in my life,” Dicheva said.
“Just because I won the world title doesn’t make me better than anyone else. I might have a million in the bank, but if that million was taken away from me, I’d be the same person.
“So I want to make sure I stay like that, that’s what I’ve always wanted.”
