RIZIN Champion Razhabali Shaydullaev Set for PFL Move With Two-Year Deal

The Kyrgyz fighter left the Kyocera Dome Osaka with his future seemingly mapped out. After outpointing former Bellator champion AJ McKee in the main event of Super Rizin 5, the unbeaten fighter became the simultaneous RIZIN and PFL Featherweight Champion. While Shaydullaev still has one fight left on his RIZIN deal, his next big move already appears to be set.

Razhabali Shaydullaev Has His PFL Future Lined Up

According to popular MMA pundit Ariel Helwani, Shaydullaev has a two-year deal in place with PFL/MVP that begins in January. Before that happens, however, he is expected to make one more RIZIN appearance on New Year's Eve. 

At just 25, the undefeated featherweight has already set the bar so high that MMA fans see him as one of the best fighters in the division outside the UFC. Now, he will have the chance to test himself on a much larger stage under the PFL/MVP banner.

Helwani reported that Shaydullaev's two-year deal with PFL/MVP officially begins in January, meaning his next RIZIN fight is expected to be the final stop before the new chapter begins. There's already a pretty good idea of who could stand across from him in that final RIZIN appearance.

Next Up for Shaydullaev: Akimoto on Dec. 31? 

Kyoma Akimoto entered the ring after Shaydullaev's win and called for a title fight. RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara also expressed interest in the matchup, making the 20-year-old prospect the likely opponent for Shaydullaev on New Year's Eve.

That would give Shaydullaev one more chance to close out his RIZIN run before turning his attention toward PFL. Shaydullaev is now 20-0, owns championships in two major promotions, and is just reaching his prime.

Shaydullaev Just Took Apart AJ McKee

Well, the timing of the PFL deal couldn’t be more interesting, considering who Shaydullaev just beat. McKee entered Super RIZIN 5 as one of the most accomplished featherweights outside the UFC. 

The American had won the RIZIN featherweight title and was looking to add the PFL belt to his collection. However, Shaydullaev spoiled the party, walking away with both.

That said, McKee found some success early in their bout. He landed a big forearm in the opening round that briefly knocked Shaydullaev off balance, but the undefeated fighter quickly responded by taking the fight to the mat.

The second round was even more one-sided. The 31-year-old attempted to change the momentum with a takedown of his own, only for Shaydullaev to win the scramble and get back on top. He stayed heavy and eventually opened a cut around McKee's eye.

Despite the cut, McKee came out swinging in R3, knowing he needed something significant to change the fight. While he had his moments, including a reversal that briefly put him on top, Shaydullaev eventually reclaimed control.

When the scorecards were read, all three judges had it 30-27 for Shaydullaev. For the first time in his professional career, Shaydullaev failed to finish an opponent, yet in the grand scheme of things, it barely matters.