Former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko publicly urged the UFC to sign Rizin featherweight champion Rajabali Shaidullaev. The 25-year-old Tajik fighter holds an undefeated 19-0 professional record and currently reigns as Rizin's 66kg champion. Shevchenko's endorsement adds weight to calls for the UFC to recruit the talented prospect from the Japanese promotion. Shaidullaev has been building an impressive resume in Rizin's featherweight division. The post expressing support for bringing Shaidullaev to the UFC received positive reception.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rizin featherweight champion Rajabali Shaidullaev, adding her high-profile voice to growing calls for the promotion to recruit the undefeated Tajik prospect.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC women's flyweight champion, posted her endorsement of Shaidullaev on social media, where it drew a positive response from fans and observers. The 38-year-old Kyrgyzstan native, fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai, carries a professional record of 26-4-1 and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport's history. She lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, reflecting the well-rounded game that has defined her long reign at 125 pounds.
Shaidullaev, 25, has yet to taste defeat across 19 professional outings and currently holds the Rizin 66-kilogram featherweight title. His unbeaten record and championship status in the respected Japanese promotion have positioned him as one of the more compelling unsigned prospects in the sport.
Why it matters
- Shevchenko's endorsement carries significant weight given her status as the division's reigning champion and one of the sport's most recognized names
- An undefeated 19-0 record and a Rizin championship belt make Shaidullaev an immediately credible addition to any UFC roster
- UFC's 66 kg featherweight division sits close to the 65 kg (145-pound) featherweight limit, meaning a transition would be straightforward for Shaidullaev
- The public pressure from a champion of Shevchenko's profile could accelerate any behind-the-scenes recruitment conversations between the UFC and Shaidullaev's camp
