Chelsea Hackett could be a heavy underdog in keeping with the oddsmakers, however she’s feeling like there’s no higher time to face opponent Dakota Ditcheva.
The time is Thursday, at 2024 PFL 4, which takes place at Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, Conn. Hackett (4-2-1) vs. Ditcheva (11-0) serves because the co-main occasion.
“If there was a digital camera on me, I used to be leaping up and down,” Hackett lately informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I used to be so excited. I’ve mentioned I needed to combat Dakota for nearly a 12 months now. That’s not me being egotistic. That is me being a competitor. Competitor vs. competitor. All due respect to Dakota and all of that, however I’ve needed to combat her as a result of I really imagine I’ve the instruments to beat her. Clearly, after I discovered I’ve acquired her, particularly coming off a loss, I wasn’t actually positive if I’d get the chance. However as quickly as I discovered, I used to be over the moon.”
The historical past between Hackett and Ditcheva extends again a decade – although it’s nice and respectful. The 2 fighters competed on the Worldwide Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Video games roughly a decade in the past. Hackett remembers watching Ditcheva, who competed a weight class under her.
“She was within the 52kg, I’m fairly positive. I used to be within the 57kg,” Hackett mentioned. “I bear in mind seeing her on the IFMA Video games again then a bit. It might’ve been like 10 years in the past now. … I went two years: 2014 to 2015. I’m fairly positive Dakota went each of these years, as properly. However Valentina, in 2015, did the identical factor. So I noticed Dakota and I noticed Valentina 10 years in the past on the IFMA World Video games, so it’s fairly loopy to see the place all of our lives have ended up. It’s like we’re now coming collectively.”
The similarities stick out to Hackett, however so do the variations. Probably the most obtrusive distinction is their place within the 2024 girls’s flyweight standings. Ditcheva sits in first place with six factors at 1-0. Hackett is in seventh place with no factors and an 0-1 file.
Regardless of the stakes, Hackett views the bout as particular person. The circumstances are blocked out.
“The explanation why I actually needed this combat, particularly within the place I’m in now, is clearly as a result of I’ve nothing to lose,” Hackett mentioned. “For me, the factors are one factor. Let’s take that away with the season format for a second. Me beating Dakota, no matter approach it might be – stoppage, determination, no matter spherical it’s in – that’s an enormous win for me. That can be why I needed this combat. It’s the very best time in my profession to combat somebody like Dakota. Coming off the again of a loss, I’m as hungry as ever. As a lot because the factors are clearly vital to remain in the entire event, this combat for me, I’m taking a look at it as a single combat as a result of that’s how huge it’s.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for 2024 PFL 4.
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