Valentina Shevchenko has publicly urged the UFC to sign Radzhabali Shaidullaev, the current Rizin champion in the 66kg division. Shaidullaev is 25 years old and holds an undefeated record of 19-0. The post indicates support for Shevchenko's suggestion that the young prospect deserves a UFC contract. No additional information was provided about any ongoing negotiations or UFC's response to the recommendation.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Radzhabali Shaidullaev, the undefeated Rizin champion competing at 66 kilograms, with the appeal drawing notable attention given the source behind it.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, brings considerable weight to any recommendation she makes. The 38-year-old Kyrgyzstan native holds a professional record of 26-4-1 and has long been regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters in the sport. Fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai in a southpaw stance, she stands 165 centimeters tall with a 168-centimeter reach. Her numbers reflect her dominance — she lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making her a credible judge of well-rounded talent.
Shaidullaev, 25 years old and currently 19-0, holds the Rizin championship at 66 kilograms. His undefeated record across 19 professional bouts represents the kind of prospect profile that draws attention from the world's premier MMA organization. No information has emerged regarding any ongoing negotiations between the UFC and Shaidullaev's camp, and the promotion has not publicly responded to Shevchenko's suggestion.
Why it matters
- Shaidullaev's 19-0 record and Rizin gold make him one of the more decorated unsigned prospects in the sport right now
- An endorsement from a sitting UFC champion carries unusual public visibility and could accelerate the UFC's interest
- At 25, Shaidullaev would be entering a UFC career during what is typically a fighter's developmental prime
- The UFC has previously recruited Rizin talent, so the pathway from that promotion is well established
