How a Kyrgyz wrestler rose to become a dual featherweight champion
In short: From the village of Jergetau to the pinnacle of professional mixed martial arts, Razhabali Shaydullaev has achieved unprecedented success. By mastering both striking and grappling, he has secured titles in two major promotions, establishing himself as a dominant force in the featherweight division across the globe.
Born on October 11, 2000, in the village of Jergetau, near the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border, Razhabali Shaydullaev's path to professional combat was unconventional. After spending his early years in Tajikistan, he moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during high school. It was there that he transitioned from football and judo into wrestling, eventually moving into mixed martial arts three years after beginning his wrestling training.
Shaydullaev's ascent is marked by a highly versatile skill set. He is noted as an all-round fighter, excelling in both striking and grappling, and has even been recognized as an Asian champion in combat jiu-jitsu. His professional journey saw him win three consecutive bouts in Russia's Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) and secure the GAMMA featherweight championship in 2022 after winning three bouts in just four days.
His success in major promotions has been historic. In May 2025, at Rizin: Otoko Matsuri, he became the 7th Rizin featherweight champion by defeating Kleber Koike Erbst via a first-round knockout. He later expanded his accolades by winning the inaugural PFL Featherweight Championship on September 10, 2026, defeating former Bellator champion A. J. McKee via unanimous decision. By January 2026, his dominance was reflected in the Fight Matrix, where he reached the number 6 spot in the featherweight rankings.
Despite his success, Shaydullaev has faced the technical challenges of weight management. In 2023, he was disqualified from a Road FC semifinal for weighing 63.2kg. Regarding his current competition in the 66.0 kg Rizin featherweight division, he has noted that he lacked the time to cut down to 61 kg, though he remains willing to fight in whichever weight class is offered.
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