Pupils at Brighton College Dubai were given a rare opportunity to hear from an elite international athlete last week, as the school welcomed undefeated MMA world champion Dakota Ditcheva to campus.

Invited as part of the College’s ongoing focus on pupil wellbeing – underpinned by its values around curiosity, confidence, and kindness – Dakota shared the mindset behind her sporting success, highlighting the importance of discipline, self-belief and making positive choices both online and offline. Her sessions also addressed cyberbullying awareness, and the positive role sport can play in building resilience and confidence from a young age.

During the assemblies, Dakota answered questions from pupils, speaking about breaking stereotypes, defining your own path, and staying focused despite outside pressure. She shared lessons from her journey about handling expectations, staying grounded on social media, and using sport and positive habits to build confidence and a strong mindset for the future – giving pupils practical insights they can apply in both school and everyday life.

Reflecting on her time with pupils, Dakota said: “Speaking to students across two assemblies today, I wanted to share the principles that have shaped my career; discipline, consistency, and belief in yourself. Nothing comes easy in life, but with hard work and dedication to your dreams, anything is possible.”

Dakota Ditcheva is a British mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai champion who has risen to global prominence in her early twenties through dedication, resilience, and breaking barriers for women in combat sport. Born and raised in Greater Manchester, she grew up around martial arts through her mother, a multiple-time world champion, and was introduced to the sport from a young age.  Since transitioning into mixed martial arts, Ditcheva holds a perfect 15-0 (12 Ko’s) record, a run that has captured both PFL European and World titles. She is widely recognised as ‘Female Fighter of the year’ by several industry publications and, was included in ESPN’s Top 25 Global stars that will redefine sports in the 21^st century.

Now dividing her time between Miami, where she trains, and Dubai, Dakota holds long-term residency in the UAE, serves as an ambassador for Visit Dubai, and has established several business interests within the region alongside her fighting career

During her visit, Dakota also marked the opening of Brighton College Dubai’s annual ‘Run for A Reason’ charity event. Held on campus in the early morning of Friday, February 6^th, the event brought together 600 participants, including pupils from across the Senior School, Prep, and Pre-Prep, alongside parents and staff, all dressed as superheroes.

This year’s Run for a Reason raised funds in support of the Ta’alouf programme offered by Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health. Ta’alouf, which translates to ‘harmony’ in Arabic, empowers People of Determination by equipping parents, educators, and caregivers with the practical knowledge and skills needed to better support individual needs and behavioural challenges.

Mr. Simon Crane, Head Master of Brighton College Dubai, commented: “Having Dakota visit the College was incredibly inspiring for our pupils, giving them the chance to hear directly from a high-achieving role model and see the attitudes and habits that sit behind success. At Brighton College Dubai, we place equal importance on academic achievement, sporting excellence and personal wellbeing, and experiences like this help reinforce those values in a meaningful and memorable way. It was also wonderful to have her open this year’s Run for a Reason and see our entire community come together around a shared purpose.”

The annual Run for a Reason initiative continues to play a central role in Brighton College Dubai’s commitment to combining physical activity, charitable giving, and purposeful learning, creating experiences that leave a lasting impression on the wider school community.

For more information about Brighton College Dubai, visit https://www.brightoncollegedubai.ae/