A Crowd Favorite Returns to the RAJU Cage
On February 22 at Tartu’s A. Le Coq Sports Hall, Estonia’s biggest MMA event, Evecon RAJU 17, will see the return of crowd favorite Kristjan Tõniste (pro record 2 wins, 1 loss). This time, Tõniste’s opponent is French fighter Lucas Reyre.
Tõniste’s Experience and Fighting Spirit
Thirty-one-year-old Kristjan Tõniste is coming off a much stronger performance following his last bout in BRAVE CF. Known for his bold yet calculated fighting style, Tõniste has also made waves at the IMMAF World Championships, where he claimed a silver medal — the best result an Estonian has ever achieved at an amateur competition. Now, he’s ready to once again showcase his skills in the RAJU cage. Summarizing what’s ahead, Tõniste says succinctly:
“I love challenges and I’m ready to face any opponent RAJU puts in front of me.” – Kristjan Tõniste
Lucas Reyre’s Challenge in Estonia
Lucas Reyre (2-2) aims to restore his winning streak in Estonia. Though Reyre has a solid ground game and striking, he faces a serious challenge in Tartu — he must overcome Tõniste’s skilled grappling and break the Estonian’s confidence in front of his home crowd. This is Reyre’s first RAJU experience, but he’s ready for the challenge.
Ott Tõnissaar on Tõniste’s Return
Evecon RAJU CEO and head organizer Ott Tõnissaar is delighted to have Tõniste back in Estonia:
“Tõniste is the ultimate example of a true sportsman’s spirit — during his BRAVE FC bout, after dominating his opponent in the stand-up, he deliberately took it to the ground, which was the local fighter’s (a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt) strongest skill. He could have finished the fight in the striking exchanges, but he wanted to test himself and see just how tough his opponent really was. And Tõniste dominated there, too! Reyre has taken on a huge challenge, which is commendable, but he’s in for a tough day at the office,” Tõnissaar remarked.
A Must-Watch Showdown for MMA Fans
Evecon RAJU 17 once again puts Estonian MMA in the spotlight, bringing together strong fighters from both local and international arenas. The bouts can be watched in person in Tartu or via live stream at mmaraju.com/watch-live.
Come cheer in person and see whether Tõniste can break his opponent’s will and technique in front of the home crowd, or if Reyre will secure a victory in his RAJU debut.
The Next RAJU Event Is Confirmed
The organizers have also confirmed the next event, taking place on September 20 at Tallinn’s Tondiraba Ice Hall. The first event in RAJU league history was held in February 2009 at the University of Tartu Sports Hall.
• Tõniste’s RAJU 15 performance: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE-Uu1MNvNT/
• Tõniste on recovery: https://www.tiktok.com/@rajummashow/video/7462401749882637590