Valentina Shevchenko has publicly urged the UFC to sign Rizin champion Rajabali Shaidullaev. The 25-year-old fighter competes at 66 kilograms and holds an undefeated professional record of 19-0. Shevchenko's endorsement of Shaidullaev suggests she sees potential in the young champion and believes he would be a good addition to the UFC roster. The post indicates support for bringing the Rizin titleholder into the UFC. Details are limited beyond the basic call for the UFC to pursue signing him.
Valentina Shevchenko has gone public with a call for the UFC to sign Rizin champion Rajabali Shaidullaev, using her platform to advocate for the undefeated prospect's move to the world's premier MMA organization.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight champion, voiced her support for Shaidullaev in a post that drew attention across the MMA community. The 38-year-old Kyrgyzstan native carries a professional record of 26-4-1 and has long been considered one of the most technically complete fighters in the sport. Training out of Tiger Muay Thai, the southpaw champion lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and supplements her striking with a consistent grappling threat, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Her endorsement of an outside fighter is a notable move, and it signals genuine belief in the young champion's ability to compete at the highest level.
Shaidullaev, 25, competes at 66 kilograms and holds a perfect professional record of 19-0, currently serving as a Rizin champion in his weight class. Beyond those figures and Shevchenko's public backing, further details about any formal negotiations or UFC interest remain limited at this stage.
Why it matters
- A public endorsement from a reigning UFC champion carries weight and can accelerate front-office interest in a prospect.
- Shaidullaev's undefeated 19-0 record and Rizin title make him an attractive option for UFC talent scouts looking at the 66-kilogram range.
- If signed, Shaidullaev would need to compete in the UFC's Lightweight or Welterweight division, as no 66-kilogram class exists on the roster, adding a layer of complexity to any potential deal.
