PFL and Rizin to Crown Dual Featherweight Champions at Super Rizin 5

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Rizin Fighting Federation are set to create MMA history with a bout that puts two world championships on the line.

PFL and Rizin have officially announced a cross‑promotional championship fight for Super Rizin 5, taking place on September 10 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan.

Rajabali Shaidullaev and A.J. McKee will clash for the featherweight titles of both PFL and Rizin in Osaka.

Rizin Featherweight Champion Rajabali Shaidullaev (19‑0) will face A.J. McKee (25‑2) with both the Rizin and PFL featherweight championships at stake. Shaidullaev has stopped all 19 of his career victories, including 13 by first‑round finishes. The unbeaten Kyrgyz fighter has captured and defended his belt three times in under a year. McKee, meanwhile, is on a three‑fight winning streak.

“There have been several occasions in the past when a fighter has entered another organization and challenged for that promotion’s championship,” Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara said in a statement. “This time, however, we are attempting something unprecedented: placing the championship belts of both organizations on the line in a single fight hosted by one promotion.”

“When I became CEO at PFL, I made it my mission to bring together the best fighters and deliver the fights that the fans want to see,” PFL CEO John Martin said. “Now, with this extraordinary partnership, I can’t wait to honor that promise and bring a truly unique and fresh opportunity for the MMA community to enjoy. For me, it will be a special experience as I get to throw my full support behind one fighter, and I’m looking forward to being cage side to watch the “Mercenary” bring the titles to PFL.”

The remainder of the Super Rizin 5 card includes the following bouts:

Mikuru Asakura vs. Shinya Aoki
Ren Hiramoto vs. Karshyga Dautbek
Yutaka Saito vs. Ren Sugiyama
Vugar Karamov vs. Ryo Takagi
Roberto Satoshi de Souza vs. Shunta Nomura
Daichi Tomizawa vs. Ryo Kawabata

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