Valentina Shevchenko publicly urged the UFC to sign Rajabali Shaidullaev, the Rizin champion in the 66kg division. Shaidullaev, 25 years old, holds an undefeated professional record of 19-0. Shevchenko's endorsement represents a significant vote of confidence from a former UFC champion for the young Rizin titleholder. The post expressed support for bringing the undefeated fighter to the UFC roster, though no indication was given that negotiations are underway.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rajabali Shaidullaev, the reigning Rizin champion at 66 kilograms, in a post that drew immediate attention across the MMA world.
Shevchenko, 38, is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. The Kyrgyzstan-born southpaw competes in the women's flyweight division and currently holds championship status with a professional record of 26-4-1. Fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai, she lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent striking accuracy rate and averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, a combination that made her a dominant force during her lengthy title reign.
Shaidullaev, 25 years old, enters the conversation as an undefeated prospect sitting at 19-0 and holding the Rizin title in the 66-kilogram division. No verified ranking or UFC affiliation currently exists for the fighter, but the unblemished record across 19 professional bouts marks him as one of the more compelling unsigned talents on the global circuit.
The endorsement carries real weight. A public call from a former and current UFC champion is an unusual form of recruitment pressure, and Shevchenko's platform ensures the message reached a wide audience within the sport's community. No indication was given that negotiations between Shaidullaev and the UFC are currently underway.
Why it matters
- Shevchenko's public endorsement puts direct spotlight on an undefeated Rizin titleholder who may otherwise remain outside UFC scouting conversations
- At 25 and 19-0, Shaidullaev fits the profile of a high-ceiling signing the UFC has historically pursued from rival promotions
- No official talks have been reported, meaning the call remains a public gesture rather than a confirmed development
