Valentina Shevchenko has urged the UFC to sign Rizin champion Raджабали Shaidullaev to the roster. The 25-year-old fighter competes at 66 kilograms and holds an undefeated record of 19-0. Shaidullaev currently holds a championship in the Rizin organization. Shevchenko's endorsement adds significant weight to the case for bringing the unbeaten prospect to the UFC. The post expresses support for Shevchenko's suggestion to add the promising fighter to the promotion.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rizin champion Radjabali Shaidullaev, using her platform to advocate for the unbeaten prospect's move to the world's premier MMA organization.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight champion, carries considerable influence within the sport, and her endorsement of an unsigned fighter is notable. The 38-year-old from Kyrgyzstan holds a record of 26-4-1 and has long been regarded as one of the most complete fighters on the roster. Fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai in a southpaw stance, she stands five-foot-five with a 66-inch reach, landing 3.14 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that underscores her well-rounded pedigree and credibility as a judge of talent.
The fighter she is championing, Shaidullaev, is 25 years old and competes at 66 kilograms. He holds an unblemished professional record of 19-0 and currently wears gold in the Rizin organization, making him one of the more prominent unbeaten champions outside the UFC system.
Why it matters
- An undefeated Rizin champion at 19-0 represents a high-profile potential signing for the UFC's roster
- Shevchenko's public advocacy amplifies the call beyond fan speculation, bringing it into mainstream MMA discussion
- Shaidullaev competes at 66 kilograms, which sits between the UFC's Lightweight and Welterweight divisions, making any potential signing dependent on how he fits divisionally
- The UFC has previously absorbed champions from Rizin and other major promotions, so the pathway is well established
