Usman Nurmagomedov and Dakota Ditcheva set for cage comebacks as PFL returns to New York

Usman Nurmagomedov and Dakota Ditcheva will compete in a massive double-header to finish out PFL’s impressive run of US shows in New York on July 31.

For the first time since 2023, the promotion returns to the Empire State for a show on Long Island at the UBS Arena that will feature two of their biggest stars.

Nurmagomedov has been headlining in Dubai for the last two years, but comes back to America to defend his lightweight belt against perennial top contender Archie Colgan.

And after overcoming a string of injuries, Ditcheva finally gets back in the cage for her first fight since a rare decision victory in South Africa last July. She faces veteran kickboxer Denise Kielholtz in a barn-burner of a co-main event.

PFL confirm Usman Nurmagomedov and Dakota Ditcheva to co-headline New York event

PFL CEO John Martin today confirmed in a press release that he will be bringing the promotion back to New York for a star-studded show on July 31 at UBS Arena on Long Island. Usman Nurmagomedov vs Archie Colgan will serve as main event, while Dakota Ditcheva vs Denise Kielholtz is co-main event.

It completes a three-week run of major US shows, with Washington DC and Austin taking place in the weeks preceding. And Martin believes he’s saving the best for last with two of the promotion’s most prominent undefeated stars.

“PFL New York will be the culmination of three consecutive main event World Title fights, and on July 31, the world will see elite MMA at its finest,” Martin said. “In one corner you have the lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, who has been a class above every man to stand opposite him.

“Some crumble to his aura, some to his skills, but either way his ability is undeniable. And now we have a challenger everyone says could be the kryptonite, Archie Colgan, an NCAA Division I wrestler who many believe is yet to lose a round. Does a legacy continue, or a legacy start? We’ll find out, and I can’t wait.”

Speaking on the Ditcheva fight, he added: “Then we also have the return of Dakota Ditcheva, and where better to bring one of the faces of PFL than New York. 12 finishes in 15 fights is an astounding knockout rate for her weight class, and she’s must-see TV every time she steps in the cage.

“But she won’t have it easy in her return, Kielholtz has world championship level kickboxing and a black belt in Judo, meaning high risk for Dakota, and an opportunity to disrupt for Denise.”