Get ready for a clash that’s going to shake up the featherweight division because A.J. McKee and Razhabali Shaidulloev are throwing down for not one, but *two* championship belts on Sept. 10. This insane cross-promotional bout is the main event of Super RIZIN 5 at Kyosera Dome Osaka in Japan, with the vacant PFL featherweight title and Shaidulloev’s RIZIN featherweight strap both on the line. Talk about putting everything on the table!
McKee’s Resurgent Dominance Meets the Ultimate Test
You know A.J. “Mercenary” McKee. The dude’s a former Bellator featherweight champ, the 31-year-old son of the legendary Antonio McKee, and he’s been on an absolute tear since Bellator folded in late 2023. He’s won four of his five PFL bouts, but here’s the real kicker: since moving back down to 145 pounds after a three-year run at lightweight, McKee is an *untouchable* 3-0. He’s ripped through top talent like Akhmed Magomedov, Adam Borics, and most recently, Salamat Isbulaev. This isn’t just a fighter making weight; it’s a fighter finding his perfect zone and absolutely owning it. He’s proven he belongs at the top of the featherweight world again, but this next challenge is something else entirely.
The Undefeated Monster Nobody Can Stop
On the other side of the cage stands Razhabali Shaidulloev, and if you haven’t heard of him, you need to pay attention right now. This 25-year-old Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan native is an absolute *force* with a perfect 19-0 record. He’s quietly become one of the sport’s premier talents outside of the UFC, and his run in RIZIN has been nothing short of spectacular. Shaidulloev has won seven straight fights under the RIZIN banner. Get this: his last four championship bouts against Kleber Koike Erbst, Viktor Kolesnik, Mikuru Asakura, and Yuta Kubo? All ended in first-round knockouts! He’s not just winning; he’s obliterating. This kid isn’t just undefeated; he’s a walking highlight reel that finishes fights with brutal efficiency. McKee’s a legend, but Shaidulloev has that young, hungry, undefeated energy that just mows down everyone in his path.
Wild Rules and High Stakes
This isn’t your grandma’s MMA fight, folks. McKee versus Shaidulloev will be fought under RIZIN MMA rules for three five-minute rounds. What does that mean? It means stomps, soccer kicks, and grounded knees to the head are all fair game. Yeah, you read that right. This is going to be an absolute brawl, pure chaos, where anything can happen at any moment. The stakes couldn’t be higher with both the vacant PFL featherweight title and Shaidulloev’s RIZIN featherweight title up for grabs. Plus, if you’re tuning in, you’ll also catch MMA legend Shinya Aoki aiming for his 50th professional win against longtime RIZIN veteran Mikuru Asakura in the co-main event. That’s a huge milestone on a stacked card!
So mark your calendars for Sept. 10. The Kyosera Dome Osaka is going to be electric when McKee and Shaidulloev step into that ring. Two champions, two belts, and one incredible fight with rules that promise an unforgettable night. Who walks out with both titles? This is the kind of matchup every fight fan lives for, and you do not want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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