Valentina Shevchenko has publicly urged the UFC to sign Rizin champion Radjabali Shaydullaev. The 25-year-old fighter competes at 66 kilograms (approximately 145 pounds) and holds an undefeated professional record of 19-0. Shaydullaev is the current Rizin champion in his weight class. Shevchenko's endorsement adds significant weight to calls for the UFC to bring the unbeaten prospect into the promotion. The post indicates support for this potential signing from the MMA community.
Valentina Shevchenko has publicly called on the UFC to sign Rizin champion Radjabali Shaydullaev, using her platform to push for the unbeaten prospect's entry into the promotion.
Shevchenko, 38, is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. The Kyrgyzstan-born southpaw holds a record of 26-4-1 and is the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. Competing out of Tiger Muay Thai, she is known for a complete and precise fighting style, landing 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Her endorsement of an outside prospect carries considerable weight across the MMA community.
Shaydullaev is 25 years old and owns a perfect professional record of 19-0. He is the current Rizin champion at 66 kilograms, roughly the featherweight limit of 145 pounds. His unbeaten run and championship pedigree in one of Asia's premier promotions have already drawn attention, and Shevchenko's public call adds a high-profile voice to the conversation around a potential UFC move.
Why it matters
- An endorsement from a reigning UFC champion draws immediate organizational attention to a prospect
- Shaydullaev's 19-0 record and Rizin title make him one of the more credible unsigned fighters at 145 pounds
- A signing would expand the UFC's featherweight roster with a proven champion from a competitive international circuit
- It reflects a broader trend of established UFC fighters advocating for talent from global promotions
