Unbeaten Rizin and PFL champion Razhabali Shaidullaev wants Alexander Volkanovski: 'I'd love to test myself'

Razhabali Shaidullaev, the unbeaten Rizin and PFL featherweight champion, says he would like to fight UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. The 20-0 Kyrgyz fighter made his pitch on X after Volkanovski stopped Movsar Evloev in the UFC 333 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 24. Sherdog reported his comments on Tuesday, October 27.

"Congrats, Volk. That was a champion's performance. An inspiration to the next generation," Shaidullaev wrote. "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."

The UFC has not offered a fight between the two, and none has been discussed publicly. Shaidullaev already has his next bout booked outside the UFC. His name also appears as Rajabali Shaidullaev, Razhabali Shaydullaev and Shaidulloev in English-language coverage.

Two unbeaten records, one champion

Volkanovski kept his title by TKO at 4:54 of the second round, according to the official UFC result. It was the first professional loss for Evloev, who came into the fight 20-0, the same record Shaidullaev has now. ESPN MMA says the win gave Volkanovski nine title fight wins, the most in UFC featherweight history.

Sherdog describes Shaidullaev as one of the most prominent featherweights outside the UFC. He took both belts on September 10 at Super Rizin 5 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. He kept his Rizin featherweight title and won the vacant PFL featherweight title by beating former Bellator champion A.J. McKee by unanimous decision, 30-27 on all three scorecards.

MMA News reported that it was the first fight to put both promotions' featherweight titles on the line at the same time. McKee hurt Shaidullaev early, but Shaidullaev recovered, took the fight to the mat and won most of the grappling exchanges from there. It was also the first time in his career that he had gone to a third round. Before that night, he had finished every opponent he beat. The announced crowd was 48,968.

Next up: Kyoma Akimoto on New Year's Eve

Shaidullaev will defend his Rizin featherweight title against Kyoma Akimoto in the main event of Rizin's New Year's Eve card on December 31 at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Japan, according to Sherdog. The Sherdog event page lists Akimoto at 13-1.

A growing line for Volkanovski

Shaidullaev is not the only featherweight from outside the UFC calling for Volkanovski. Former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull, who now fights in the UFC, said on fight night that he would finish whoever the UFC puts in front of him so the two can cross paths.

Volkanovski, 38, has not named his next move. After UFC 333 he said he would "probably keep going" if he did not take too much damage.

What is confirmed and what is not

• Confirmed: Shaidullaev is 20-0 and holds the Rizin and PFL featherweight titles. He beat A.J. McKee on September 10 and faces Kyoma Akimoto on December 31.
• Confirmed: Volkanovski beat Movsar Evloev by TKO at 4:54 of Round 2 at UFC 333.
• Not confirmed: there are no talks, offers or plans for a Volkanovski vs Shaidullaev fight. For now, this is a fighter stating his interest.