From rhythmic gymnastics to MMA: after a 13-year break, an Estonian will compete again in the MMA Raju women’s fight
Women last competed at Raju back in 2013, when both a professional and an amateur fight took place. After a long hiatus, an Estonian representative will once again step into the cage on October 10 – Aisel Agajeva, who will fight her fourth amateur bout in MMA.
According to Evecon Raju’s chief organizer, the women’s fight is exactly what many fans and spectators have been waiting for, and now that opportunity has finally arisen.
“Long-time Raju fans surely remember the women’s fights that were an inseparable part of the fight nights for years. After more than a 13-year break, they are now back, to the delight of spectators and fans. Women’s MMA, driven by IMMAF, is on the rise all over the world, and the level women show in the cage is impressive. We want to revive and promote women’s MMA in Estonia as well, which is why Aisel Agajeva will step into the Raju arena at our anniversary event, facing a worthy foreign opponent,” said Evecon Raju chief organizer Ott Tõnissaar.
“Evecon Raju 20 promises to become the most anticipated event of the year in the world of martial arts, as Estonia’s best fighters step into the ring and the audience can look forward to fights that will go down in Estonian sporting history,” Tõnissaar added.
“At Raju, Estonia’s best fighters step into the cage against worthy opponents, and there’s a story and a reason behind every matchup. That’s exactly the kind of fights Raju nights have always been made of, and the anniversary event ‘Evecon Raju 20’ is no exception,” Tõnissaar added.
From rhythmic gymnastics to MMA
Aisel Agajeva (29) has been active in martial arts for years, and moved into MMA only a few years ago after gaining experience in Muay Thai. Aisel’s career has been relatively short – about 4.5 years in total. In that short time, however, she has reached a level in Muay Thai that rivals Muay Thai fighters holding European and world championship titles, and in competition she is able to defeat athletes whose careers have lasted more than 10 years.
Aisel’s martial arts journey began in Muay Thai, where she fought 15 matches as an amateur. She can point to an Estonian championship title and an Open Baltic Championships title, but these aren’t the achievements that truly motivate her. Aisel has shifted her focus to MMA.
“Competing at Raju is a great honor and challenge for me. I’ve long wanted to take part in an Evecon Raju fight night, and I’m very happy that this opportunity has come up. It’s an enormous chance to prove myself and show everything I’m capable of – and I’m capable of a lot. Even though I don’t yet know who my opponent will be, I believe in myself, in my coach, and in everyone who supports me on this path,” she said.
In MMA, Aisel has so far competed as an amateur and her record is 2–1. Aisel competes in the weight category up to 56.7 kg.
Before MMA and Muay Thai, she did rhythmic gymnastics for 11 years and track and field for four years.
Evecon Raju 20 brings a historic fight night
The upcoming MMA event on October 10 is not the first time women have met in the cage as part of Raju. At the 2013 Raju event, there were as many as two women’s fights, one of which was a professional bout in which amateur European champion Helin Paara stepped into the cage against Zarah Fairn, who later went on to reach the UFC in her career. The second fight was an amateur bout featuring Estonian Kadri Vilba.
On October 10, a historic event for Estonia will take place at the Tondiraba Ice Hall, and not only because of the women’s fight. For the first time, our own Kristjan Tõniste will meet a former UFC star, Rodrigo Vargas, in the main event. Madis Mäeste will fight his last match as a professional, Maikel Astur will look to confirm that his previous painful loss was just a small “it happens to everyone” moment, Yevhenii Kabanets wants to continue his winning streak, but his opponent Oskar Herczyk has his own opinion on that, and Raigo Kutsar and Allan Volosatõh learned valuable lessons from Raju 19, changed their training, and are now focusing more on developing their wrestling.
Evecon Raju 20 will take place on October 10, 2026, at the Tondiraba Ice Hall.
