Valentina Shevchenko has publicly urged the UFC to sign Radjabali Shaidullaev, the Rizin champion in the 66 kg division. Shaidullaev, who is 25 years old, holds an undefeated record of 19-0. Shevchenko's endorsement suggests she sees significant potential in the young fighter and believes he would be a valuable addition to the UFC roster. The call adds to ongoing discussions about the UFC recruiting top talent from international promotions. No response from the UFC regarding Shaidullaev has been reported.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rizin champion Radjabali Shaidullaev, lending her considerable reputation to a push for the undefeated fighter to make the jump to the world's premier MMA organization.
Shevchenko, the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight champion, made her endorsement public as discussions around UFC recruitment from international promotions continue to grow. The Kyrgyzstan-born fighter, who competes out of Tiger Muay Thai, carries a record of 26-4-1 and is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. Now 38 years old, Shevchenko lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and adds a consistent wrestling threat, averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Her backing of a prospect carries real weight inside the MMA community.
Shaidullaev, 25, is the Rizin champion at 66 kilograms and enters any conversation about a UFC move with a perfect 19-0 professional record. Beyond his age, division title, and undefeated mark, no additional verified statistics are available in current reporting.
Why it matters
- Shaidullaev's 19-0 record and Rizin title make him one of the more credible unsigned prospects in the sport
- A champion-level advocate in Shevchenko adds unusual public pressure on the UFC to act
- The 66 kg Rizin division does not map directly onto a UFC weight class, meaning any signing would involve a divisional decision
- The UFC has not publicly responded to Shevchenko's call, leaving the situation unresolved
