Rajabali Shaidullaev Claims RIZIN Featherweight Title
The RIZIN featherweight division has a new king, and his reign began with a bang. Rajabali Shaidullaev, the undefeated Kyrgyz phenom, demolished Kleber Koike Erbst in just 62 seconds at RIZIN Otoko Matsuri on May 4, 2025, to capture the championship.
Shaidullaev’s Rapid Rise to the Top
Entering the fight with an unblemished record, Shaidullaev was viewed as a promising prospect, but few expected him to tear through a seasoned veteran like Erbst with such ease. The Brazilian-Japanese submission specialist had dominated the featherweight division for years, claiming the title in 2022 and defending it multiple times with his world-class grappling.
However, Shaidullaev refused to play into Erbst’s strengths. As soon as the fight began at Tokyo Dome, the Kyrgyz powerhouse wasted no time closing the distance. A devastating right hook followed by a perfectly timed uppercut sent Erbst crashing to the canvas, and Shaidullaev finished the job with relentless ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to step in just over a minute into the bout.
The Fight Card: Featherweight Title Bout Headlines RIZIN Otoko Matsuri
The event, held in front of a packed Tokyo Dome audience, showcased high-stakes matchups across multiple weight classes. The full fight card included:
- Rajabali Shaidullaev (Kyrgyzstan) vs. Kleber Koike Erbst (Brazil/Japan) – Shaidullaev wins by KO (62 seconds)
- Mikuru Asakura (Japan) vs. Chihiro Suzuki (Japan) – Asakura wins via TKO (doctor stoppage, round 3)
- Naoki Inoue (Japan) vs. Yuki Motoya (Japan) – Inoue retains bantamweight title via split decision
- Marek Samociuk (Poland) vs. Daniel James (USA) – Samociuk advances in the heavyweight Grand Prix
- José Augusto Azevedo (Brazil) vs. Tsuyoshi Sudario (Japan) – Azevedo advances in the heavyweight Grand Prix
- Mikio Ueda (Japan) vs. Shoma Shibisai (Japan) – Ueda advances in the heavyweight Grand Prix
What’s Next for Shaidullaev?
With the RIZIN featherweight championship now around his waist, Shaidullaev has cemented himself as one of the most feared strikers in the organization. Several contenders are already eyeing a shot at the belt, including former champion Erbst, who has called for an immediate rematch.
Additionally, Chihiro Suzuki, fresh off a loss to Mikuru Asakura, remains a top featherweight looking for redemption, while veterans Kyohei Hagiwara and Kazumasa Majima are also in the mix.
Shaidullaev’s meteoric rise signals a new era for RIZIN featherweights, where pure striking power might overshadow world-class grappling. With his name now etched into the organization’s championship history, the undefeated Kyrgyz warrior is ready to take on all challengers.
