Remember the name.
SUPER RIZIN 5 goes down this week (Thurs., Sept. 10, 2026) from inside Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan, featuring a historic champion-versus-champion main event between Razhabali Shaydullaev and former Bellator Featherweight kingpin A.J. McKee.
For many American mixed martial arts (MMA) fans, this will be their first time watching Shaydullaev.
It probably won’t be their last.
Shaydullaev, 25, is an undefeated Kyrgyzstani wrecking machine who has quietly developed into one of the
most terrifying Featherweights outside Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He enters the biggest fight of his career with a perfect 19-0 professional record — and he has finished every opponent placed in front of him.
That includes seven knockouts and 12 submissions. Even more ridiculously, 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 soccer and judo. After graduating from high school, he moved to Bishkek, began wrestling and eventually transitioned 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 submitting Koji Takeda and former Bellator Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta before stopping Yuta Kubo.
The following year, he needed just 62 seconds to knock out dangerous submission specialist Kleber Koike Erbst and capture the RIZIN Featherweight championship.
Since then, things have somehow become even more violent.
Shaydullaev demolished Viktor Kolesnik in 33 seconds, battered Japanese superstar Mikuru Asakura and then stopped Kubo again in their April 2026 rematch. He has now scored five consecutive knockouts after beginning his career as a submission-heavy grappler.
So, why haven’t more American fans heard about him?
Simple: geography.
Shaydullaev has spent his entire career fighting outside the United States, primarily in promotions such as Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), Road FC, UAE Warriors, and RIZIN. That changes tomorrow when he receives his largest international spotlight yet against one of the most accomplished Featherweights of his generation.
McKee represents Shaydullaev’s toughest test by a considerable margin. “Mercenary” owns a 25-2 record, captured Bellator’s Featherweight title and has never been finished. He has also won three straight since returning to 145 pounds.
Both the RIZIN Featherweight championship and vacant PFL Featherweight title will be at stake, meaning the winner will leave Osaka carrying two belts.
If Shaydullaev runs through McKee like he has everyone else, the conversation surrounding the best Featherweight outside UFC will have a very clear new answer.
Check out who else is fighting on Super RIZIN 5 here.
