One fighter’s 2025 concluded with a shocking moment following a dominant title bout.
Petr Yan’s commanding win over Merab Dvalishvili marked the final UFC fight of the year as the promotion enters an extended offseason. However, other MMA organizations are still active, gearing up for 2026.
Fans have been calling on Dana White to sign Will Fleury, a two-division Octagon champion who recently defended his heavyweight title by defeating former UFC competitor Martin Boday. Meanwhile, another promotion known for extravagant year-end events is delivering one last spectacle to thrill fight enthusiasts.
RIZIN held its year-end event earlier today at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena, featuring a packed card with 15 bouts. Famous for hosting memorable moments like Floyd Mayweather’s win over Tenshin Nasukawa, this event was headlined by five title matches.
The main event showcased a battle between one of the best fighters outside the UFC and a top star. Razavary Shaidulaev took on Mirai Asakura, younger brother of former UFC challenger Kai Asakura, for the featherweight championship and an undefeated 16-0 record. Many anticipated a one-sided fight, which was exactly what unfolded as Shaidulaev dominated with impressive throws and relentless ground and pound until the referee stopped the contest just over two minutes into the first round.
Asakura previously faced a scary moment at Super RIZIN 1 in 2022 when he was stopped by Mayweather and removed from the ring in a neck brace.
Razavary Shaidulaev is widely regarded as possibly the best featherweight outside the UFC and arguably the top fighter outside the organization regardless of weight class. At only 25 years old, he holds a spotless 17-0 record with all wins by finish. He’s currently on a six-fight winning streak within RIZIN and has successfully defended his title twice.
There’s growing speculation that Shaidulaev could soon follow in the footsteps of fighters like Kai Asakura, Kyoji Horiguchi, Manel Kape, and Jiri Prochaska by making the jump from RIZIN to the UFC.
Fan Take: Razavary Shaidulaev’s rise adds exciting depth to the global MMA scene, highlighting the wealth of talent outside the UFC. His potential crossover to the UFC could create new blockbuster matchups, invigorating fans and pushing the sport to new heights in 2026.
