SUPER RIZIN 5 will take place this week (Thursday, September 10, 2026) at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan for a historic Champion vs. Champion main event. Ražabali Shaidullaev and former Bellator featherweight king AJ McKee.
For many American mixed martial arts (MMA) fans, this will be their first time watching Shaydullaev.
It probably won’t be their last.
The 25-year-old Shaydullaev is an undefeated Kyrgyz demolition machine who has quietly developed into one of the most feared featherweights outside of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He enters the biggest fight of his career with a perfect 19-0 professional record — and he’s finished every opponent he’s put in front of him.
It includes seven knockouts and 12 submissions. Even more ridiculous is that Shaydullaev has never been taken beyond the second round.
Born in Jerge-Tal, Kyrgyzstan, Shaydullaev spent part of his childhood in neighboring Tajikistan and initially participated in football and judo. After graduating from high school, he moved to Bishkek, started wrestling, and eventually switched to MMA.
Shaydullaev made his professional debut in 2019 and competed throughout Asia and Russia before signing with RIZIN in 2024. He immediately announced his arrival by performing Koji Takeda and former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta before stopping Yuta Kubo.
Things have somehow gotten even more intense since then.
Shaydullaev was demolished Viktor Kolesnik 33 seconds later, beaten Japanese superstar Miku Asakura and stopped Kubo again in the April 2026 rematch. He has now scored five consecutive knockouts since starting his career as a heavyweight.
So why haven’t more American fans heard of him?
Shaydullaev has spent his entire career fighting outside of the United States, primarily for promotions such as Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), Road FC, UAE Warriors, and RIZIN. That will change tomorrow when he gets his biggest international spotlight yet against one of the most successful featherweights of his generation.
McKee represents Shaydullayev’s toughest test by a significant margin. The mercenary owns a record of 25-2, the Bellator featherweight title and has never stopped. He has also won three straight since returning to 145 pounds.
If Shaydullaev runs through McKee like everyone else, the conversation surrounding the best featherweight outside of the UFC will have a very clear new answer.
See who else is fighting in Super RIZIN 5 here.
