A comprehensive analysis discusses the significant progress of Kyrgyzstani MMA beyond Valentina Shevchenko and Rafael Fiziev. Six fighters are highlighted as representing the country's new wave of top talent. Razhabali Shaidullaev (25, 19-0) is Rizin featherweight champion. Zhakshlyk Myrzabekov (27, 15-2) is interim ACA welterweight champion. Edil Esengulov (27, 14-4) recently defeated Ibrahim Magomedov by submission at ACA Tashkent. Akbar Abdullaev (28, 13-0) has finished all five One Championship fights by KO/TKO since 2023. Kubanychbek Abdisalam (31, 23-3) left Brave as undefeated lightweight champion after two defenses. Myktybek Orolbay (28, 10-2) is pushing for UFC welterweight top-15 ranking with well-rounded skills.
A sweeping analysis published on May 12, 2026, argues that Kyrgyzstan's mixed martial arts talent pool has grown well beyond its two most recognizable stars, identifying six fighters who represent a new generation of elite competitors from the Central Asian nation.
Valentina Shevchenko remains the standard-bearer. The 38-year-old southpaw holds a 26-4-1 record and is the reigning UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, landing 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes. Rafael Fiziev, who trains alongside Shevchenko at Tiger Muay Thai and competes at lightweight with a 14-5 record and a divisional ranking of seventh, is listed in the analysis though the verified data notes he represents Kazakhstan rather than Kyrgyzstan.
The six fighters spotlighted as the country's rising wave each hold significant hardware or momentum. Razhabali Shaidullaev, 25 and undefeated at 19-0, is the Rizin featherweight champion. Zhakshlyk Myrzabekov, 27 at 15-2, holds the interim ACA welterweight title. Edil Esengulov, also 27 and now 14-4, picked up a recent submission victory over Ibrahim Magomedov at ACA Tashkent. Akbar Abdullaev, 28 and a perfect 13-0, has stopped all five of his One Championship opponents by knockout or technical knockout since 2023. Kubanychbek Abdisalam, 31 at 23-3, departed Brave Combat Federation as undefeated lightweight champion after two successful title defenses. Myktybek Orolbay, 28 and 10-2, is positioned as a well-rounded welterweight with aspirations of cracking the UFC top-15.
Why it matters
- Kyrgyzstan now has active champions or title contenders across multiple major promotions including the UFC, Rizin, ACA, One Championship, and Brave CF
- The depth of finishers in the group, particularly Abdullaev's perfect finishing rate in One Championship, signals genuine world-level talent rather than regional novelty
- Orolbay's UFC welterweight push could soon bring another Kyrgyz fighter into a ranked division, compounding the country's already notable global footprint
