Valentina Shevchenko has publicly urged the UFC to sign Rizin flyweight champion Rjabali Shaidullaev. Shaidullaev is 25 years old and holds an undefeated 19-0 record. He competes in the 66kg weight class in Rizin. Shevchenko's endorsement could help bring attention to the Rizin champion's credentials. The post indicates support for bringing international talent to the UFC roster.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rizin flyweight champion Rjabali Shaidullaev, throwing her considerable name behind the prospect in a social media post dated April 13, 2026.
Shaidullaev is undefeated at 19-0 and holds the Rizin flyweight title at 66 kilograms. The 25-year-old's perfect record and championship status in one of the world's most prominent MMA promotions outside the UFC has evidently caught the attention of one of the sport's biggest names.
The endorsement comes from a fighter who needs little introduction. Shevchenko, 38, is the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight Champion and carries a record of 26 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. The Kyrgyzstan-born veteran, who trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and fights out of a southpaw stance, stands five-foot-five with a 66-inch reach. She lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, and averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect a complete, high-level game built over a long career at the top of the sport.
Why it matters
- Shevchenko's public backing gives Shaidullaev significant visibility with UFC brass and the broader MMA audience
- A 19-0 record and a Rizin title represent a credible resume for a UFC roster spot
- The call highlights ongoing interest in bringing top international talent into the UFC ecosystem
- At 25 and unbeaten, Shaidullaev would enter any negotiation with considerable leverage as a prospect
