Unbeaten Shaidulloev signs two-year MVP deal after claiming PFL title at Super RIZIN 5

Razhabali Shaidulloev left Super RIZIN 5 in Osaka on Thursday as a double champion and the first fighter signed to the newly rebranded MVP promotion, agreeing a two-year deal after defeating A.J. McKee by unanimous decision in the main event to retain his RIZIN featherweight title and claim the vacant PFL belt simultaneously.

The 25-year-old Tajikistani improved to a perfect 19-0, with 18 of those victories coming by stoppage. Going the distance with McKee marked the first time in his career Shaidulloev has been taken to the final bell — a notable footnote given the sheer volume of finishes that define his record. His eight-fight run under the RIZIN banner includes stoppages of Kleber Koike, Juan Archuleta and Mikuru Asakura.

MVP, which has merged with PFL and will operate under the MVP name from 2027, confirmed Shaidulloev as its first signing since the rebrand was announced. The deal was first reported by Ariel Helwani and subsequently confirmed by MMA Fighting.

Shaidulloev will not move to MVP immediately, however. He is contractually obligated to one final RIZIN appearance — a New Year’s Eve title defence against Kyoma Akimoto, who earned his shot by defeating former champion Koike via decision in August. Only after that bout will Shaidulloev transition to the new promotion.

The signing signals an early statement of intent from MVP as it builds its roster ahead of the 2027 launch. Landing an unbeaten, dual-title featherweight at just 25 years old gives the rebranded organisation a marquee name around which to construct its featherweight division.