Shaidullaev Becomes Double Champ At Super Rizin 5

Rajabali Shaidullaev improved to 20-0 and became a dual champion at Super Rizin 5, defeating A.J. McKee by unanimous decision before 48,968 fans at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan on September 10. The victory allowed the Kyrgyz featherweight to retain his Rizin Fighting Federation title while simultaneously capturing the Professional Fighters League championship at 145 pounds.

Per Sherdog's report, McKee connected with a counter one-two that knocked Shaidullaev off balance in the opening seconds. Shaidullaev recovered quickly, slammed McKee to the canvas and landed short elbows while pinning him against the bottom rope. McKee briefly took the back in the second round before Shaidullaev escaped and forced him down near a corner post. Shaidullaev passed to side control and opened a cut near McKee's right eye, then spent the remainder of the frame punching from inside guard.

Shaidullaev Enters Third Round For First Time

The fight marked the first time Shaidullaev had entered a third round in his professional career. He landed an overhand right and followed with a takedown to open the frame. After a scramble in which McKee briefly took his back, both men pursued a finish on the feet with Shaidullaev landing the cleaner punches. McKee secured a late takedown into half guard, where the bout concluded. All three judges scored the contest 30-27 for Shaidullaev.

Following the victory, Shaidullaev addressed the crowd and noted he has one fight remaining on his current Rizin contract. Kyoma Akimoto then entered the ring and requested the opportunity to become Shaidullaev's next title challenger. Shaidullaev and Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara appeared receptive to the proposal, which could take place on New Year's Eve.

In the lightweight co-main event, Mikuru Asakura knocked out grappling legend Shinya Aoki at 2:39 of the first round. Aoki pulled guard immediately and threatened with a triangle choke, a rear-naked choke and an armbar before Asakura turned into his guard and postured up. The first punch Asakura landed appeared to render Aoki unconscious, and the referee stopped the fight after follow-up strikes. The result improved Asakura's Rizin record to 14-5 and dropped Aoki to 1-1 with the promotion in his second appearance since the inaugural event in December 2015.

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• Sherdog — Rajabali Shaidullaev improves to 20-0 and becomes double champ at Super Rizin 5