Cris Cyborg and Dakota Ditcheva Negotiate Superfight Terms Amidst Weight Class Discrepancy.

The prospect of a highly anticipated superfight between legendary Cris Cyborg and rising star Dakota Ditcheva continues to unfold, with the pivotal issue of weight class serving as the primary point of contention. Following Cyborg’s unexpected callout in December, Ditcheva has articulated her conditions for the bout, to which Cyborg has now publicly responded, insisting she can meet the agreed-upon 135-pound mark. This potential clash pits a generational icon against one of the sport’s most promising new talents, drawing significant attention from the mixed martial arts community.

Cris Cyborg, widely regarded as one of the most dominant female mixed martial artists in history, initiated the challenge after successfully defending her PFL featherweight title against Sara Collins at PFL Lyon in December. The decisive victory marked another milestone in the illustrious career of the 40-year-old Brazilian, who has amassed titles across multiple major organizations including Strikeforce, UFC, Bellator, and currently the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Her career has been defined by an aggressive, power-striking style that has seen her dominate the featherweight division for over a decade. Her subsequent callout of Ditcheva, the reigning 2024 PFL flyweight tournament champion, caught many observers, including Ditcheva herself, by surprise, given the substantial 20-pound weight difference between their respective divisions. Cyborg has hinted that her career is nearing its conclusion, adding a layer of urgency and potential finality to her pursuit of a superfight.

Dakota Ditcheva, a formidable presence in the flyweight division at 125 pounds, expressed a mix of honor and skepticism regarding Cyborg’s proposition. Speaking to veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on Tuesday, Ditcheva recounted her initial reaction to the callout, highlighting a personal connection to the veteran fighter. "That Cyborg moment was crazy for me," Ditcheva stated, recalling a meeting with Cyborg in Canada in January 2022, prior to signing with the PFL. "I went to Canada to fight on a show, and I got a picture with Cyborg, because she was the celebrity fighter that was there to watch all those girls fight. I was so, so happy to get a photo with her, because oh my god, Cris Cyborg! Another amazing female in this sport. Then, fast-forward a couple of years and she’s calling me out! This is crazy! I’ve only been in the sport three years and she’s calling me." Ditcheva’s rapid ascent in the PFL has seen her maintain an undefeated professional record, culminating in her dominant performance to claim the 2024 PFL flyweight tournament championship, establishing her as a significant force in the sport.

Despite the personal admiration for Cyborg’s legacy, Ditcheva maintained a pragmatic stance on the potential matchup. "So actually, I was honored to be called out by her, but I just didn’t feel like it made that much sense right now," she elaborated. The primary sticking point for Ditcheva centered on the significant weight disparity. As a natural flyweight, transitioning to a higher weight class would necessitate a substantial physical adjustment, requiring dedicated time for strength and mass gain to compete effectively against a historically larger opponent.

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Ditcheva outlined specific parameters under which she would consider the superfight. "If Cyborg could make 135, and they give me a bit of time," Ditcheva specified. "She’s had a bit more time. She’s saying it’s her last fight. I haven’t got that much time to put weight on. I’m not a big 125er. I don’t have a tough weight cut at all. So for me, I’d have to strength up big. But I would have done it if she was even close to 135. Pay me some big money and hell yeah I’ll get in." These conditions underscore the logistical challenges and financial incentives required for a fighter to step outside their natural weight class for such a high-profile bout, especially one involving a move up in weight.

The feasibility of Cyborg making 135 pounds has historically been a topic of considerable discussion within the MMA community. Throughout her career, Cyborg has primarily competed at featherweight (145 pounds), with notable struggles to cut to bantamweight (135 pounds) during her tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Her attempts to compete at 135 pounds were often fraught with extreme weight cuts, notably including a catchweight bout at 140 pounds against Leslie Smith in 2016, and subsequent health concerns that led her to largely remain at featherweight. This well-documented history of difficulty in making the bantamweight limit fuels Ditcheva’s skepticism regarding Cyborg’s current ability to safely and effectively make the proposed weight.

From Ditcheva’s perspective, the callout appears to be a strategic move by Cyborg to capitalize on the younger fighter’s burgeoning popularity and momentum. Ditcheva, who has rapidly ascended through the PFL ranks with an impressive undefeated record, sees herself as the significant draw in this potential pairing. "Respectfully, she’s not giving the fight, I am," Ditcheva asserted. "I, 100 percent, would be the one that sells that fight more. It would be a superfight, but she’s calling me out. She’s picking me. She needs me. She’s not picking anyone else out. Leah’s been asking for it for ages, she’s not picking Leah out. It’s a superfight for sure, but you kind of need me to make it big. Obviously, it makes sense on her part. I’m not calling out no 105 atomweight person. It doesn’t makes sense. So that’s why I didn’t entertain it. I don’t like feeding into people just using my name all the time." This statement reflects Ditcheva’s awareness of her market value and her insistence on equitable terms for any such high-stakes encounter, suggesting a perceived imbalance in the commercial dynamics of the proposed fight.

In response to Ditcheva’s interview, Cris Cyborg took to social media to address the concerns directly, agreeing to the proposed 135-pound catchweight. Her posts aimed to assuage doubts about her ability to make the weight, citing changes in her physique and age as factors that would facilitate a successful cut.

"Super fights take two people. I can make 135 for a superfight in the fall," Cyborg declared, signaling her commitment to the terms. She elaborated on why the 135-pound cut, which proved challenging in the past, would now be achievable. "I’m 40. My body carries much less muscle than it did when I struggled to make 140. I won’t miss weight for my retirement fight." She further clarified the timeline of her past struggles, stating, "I can make 135 this fall if we agree to a date early enough. It was 2016 when I struggled to make 140…10 years ago. My body carries much less muscle in my 40’s than it did in my 30’s." Cyborg reiterated the mutual benefit, stating, "Superfight always takes 2 people to make – This is the biggest fight the PFL can make."

Cyborg’s statements indicate a strong desire to secure this specific matchup, positioning it as a significant event, potentially marking the conclusion of her storied career. Her willingness to commit to a weight class below her typical fighting range, and one that has historically posed difficulties, underscores the perceived importance of a fight against Ditcheva. For the PFL, a superfight featuring two of its champions from different weight classes and generations would undoubtedly generate significant interest and viewership. Such cross-divisional matchups are rare but often highly anticipated in MMA, offering unique stylistic clashes and compelling narratives that can boost a promotion’s profile. Given Cyborg’s legendary status and Ditcheva’s rapidly ascending star power, this bout could serve as a marquee event for the PFL, attracting both casual and hardcore fans.

As of the latest reports, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has not yet issued an official statement regarding its interest in booking this proposed superfight or its stance on the terms laid out by both athletes. The logistical complexities of arranging such a bout, including the specific date, venue, and financial agreements, would fall under the purview of the promotion. The potential for Cyborg to successfully make 135 pounds and Ditcheva’s readiness to bulk up while maintaining her competitive edge remain central to the ongoing discussions. The fight, if materialized, represents a unique cross-divisional challenge that could significantly impact the careers of both fighters and draw substantial attention to the PFL brand.

The landscape of professional mixed martial arts is dynamic, with athletes continuously seeking new challenges and opportunities. The ongoing dialogue between Cris Cyborg and Dakota Ditcheva exemplifies this, as a veteran legend seeks a marquee farewell bout against a surging contender. The resolution of the weight class debate and the PFL’s eventual decision will determine whether this highly anticipated superfight moves from a public discussion to a confirmed event on the professional calendar.

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