Former UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko is urging the promotion to sign Rizin featherweight champion Rajabali Shaidullaev. The 25-year-old fighter boasts an undefeated record of 19-0 and currently holds the Rizin 145-pound title. Shevchenko's public endorsement carries significant weight given her status as one of the sport's most accomplished fighters. The post indicates support for bringing the young undefeated champion to the UFC roster. Shaidullaev's perfect record and championship status in a major Asian promotion make him an intriguing prospect for UFC expansion.
Valentina Shevchenko is calling on the UFC to bring undefeated Rizin featherweight champion Rajabali Shaidullaev into the promotion, with the 25-year-old's perfect 19-0 record drawing public praise from one of mixed martial arts' most decorated athletes.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, made her endorsement through a social media post, lending considerable credibility to the push given her standing in the sport. The 38-year-old from Kyrgyzstan holds a professional record of 26-4-1 and has long been regarded as among the most technically complete fighters in MMA. Training out of Tiger Muay Thai, the southpaw lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and adds a consistent grappling threat, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes across her career.
Shaidullaev, meanwhile, holds the Rizin 145-pound title and enters any conversation about UFC prospects with an unblemished mark through 19 professional outings. His championship status in one of Asia's premier promotions, combined with his youth, positions him as a notable name on the radar of those looking for the next wave of UFC talent.
Why it matters
- Shevchenko's public endorsement amplifies Shaidullaev's visibility with UFC decision-makers in a way that organic social buzz rarely does.
- An undefeated record at 19-0 alongside a Rizin title gives Shaidullaev legitimate credentials rather than pure prospect hype.
- The UFC has shown consistent interest in absorbing top talent from Rizin, making this call for a signing land in a plausible competitive context.
- Shaidullaev's age of 25 suggests a long potential runway at the highest level if signed.
