Unbeaten PFL and Rizin champion Shaidullaev calls out Volkanovski after UFC 333 stoppage win

Alexander Volkanovski extended his unbeaten record against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, becoming the first fighter to defeat the previously unbeaten Russian — and the performance immediately caught the attention of one of featherweight’s most prominent names outside the UFC.

Rajabali Shaidullaev, the undefeated Kyrgyz fighter who holds both the PFL and Rizin featherweight titles at 20-0, took to X shortly after the fight to praise Volkanovski and float the idea of a future matchup.

“Congrats, Volk. That was a champion’s performance,” Shaidullaev wrote. “An inspiration to the next generation. One fight doesn’t define a fighter. Movsar, I hope you come back even stronger. Volk looked sharp tonight. I’d love to test myself against him.”

Shaidullaev has built one of the most compelling unbeaten records in featherweight MMA across multiple promotions. His most recent victory came against former Bellator champion A.J. McKee at Super Rizin 5 in September, further cementing his status as the leading featherweight contender operating outside the UFC’s roster.

Before any potential crossover bout with Volkanovski can materialise, Shaidullaev has business to attend to closer to home. The dual champion is scheduled to defend his Rizin title against Kyoma Akimoto at Rizin’s New Year’s Eve event on 31 December in Japan.

Volkanovski’s stoppage of Evloev — who had entered the fight undefeated — underlined the Australian’s continued dominance at 145 pounds. Whether a fight with the unbeaten Shaidullaev ever comes to fruition will depend on promotional negotiations between the UFC and Rizin, but the Kyrgyz champion has made his ambitions clear.