Evecon RAJU, the largest MMA promotion in the Baltics, marks its 20th event, the anniversary edition, on 10 October at Tondiraba Ice Hall in Tallinn. Twenty fighters will step into the cage across 10 bouts (8 professional and 2 amateur), delivering international top-level MMA to the audience.
The Most Exciting Card in Raju History
According to Evecon Raju CEO Ott Tõnissaar, the anniversary has produced the most exciting fight card in Raju history. “MMA has been practised in Estonia for 24 years, and in all that time no Estonian athlete has faced a former UFC fighter on home soil. Our own man going up against a veteran of the world’s premier league, someone who has won in the UFC and become a LUX champion, was long overdue. Added weight comes from the return of women to the Raju cage, the first professional kickboxing bout and a higher share of professional bouts,” said Tõnissaar.
The Fight Card
Main Event: Kristjan Tõniste vs Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (Mexico)
The culmination of the fight night is a meeting between one of Estonia’s most successful mixed martial artists, Kristjan Tõniste, and former UFC fighter Rodrigo Vargas. The Mexican veteran has 16 professional wins to his name. For Tõniste this is the most significant bout of his career, one that could open the doors to the international stage.
Kristjan Tõniste vs Rodrigo VargasCo-Main Event: Maikel “The Sniper” Astur vs Lévy “The Missile” Carriel (France)
Estonian elite striker Maikel Astur (5-1), aiming for the UFC, meets the explosive Frenchman Lévy Carriel (5-5). As both men are known for their finishes and sharp stand-up fighting, this bout could well end in a knockout.
Maikel Astur vs Lévy CarrielFirst Kickboxing Bout at Raju: Markko Moisar vs Sami Feddad (Italy)
European champion and living kickboxing legend Markko Moisar, with more than 70 professional bouts behind him, makes his debut in the Raju cage and brings the audience the first bout under professional kickboxing rules in the organisation’s history. His next appearances, however, will come with MMA gloves and MMA rules.
Markko Moisar vs Sami FeddadCristiano Cruz (Brazil) vs Robert-Alexandru “Iceman” Constantin (Romania)
Having faced Tõniste and Astur respectively at Evecon Raju 19, the experienced Brazilian Cruz (32 professional bouts) and the Romanian Constantin (8-1) now meet each other. It will become clear which of the two is better: Constantin, who ended Astur’s winning run, or Cruz, who lost to Tõniste by armlock.
Cristiano Cruz vs Robert-Alexandru ConstantinThe Last Dance: Madis “The Viking” Mäeste vs Yanis Simonite (France)
Originally set to meet the Swede Niclas Pedersen, Mäeste has a new opponent after Pedersen injured himself in training. The pride and honour of Pärnu, Madis Mäeste steps into the professional cage as a fighter for the last time. His farewell fight promises to be one of the most emotional of the night.
Strikers’ Duel: Allan Volosatõh vs Bandai Lumassa (Netherlands)
Volosatõh, who knocked out his opponent in 23 seconds on his MMA debut, meets the Dutch stand-up fighter Lumassa (6-4). Neither man in this fiery battle plans to leave the decision in the judges’ hands.
Allan Volosatõh vs Bandai LumassaArturs Leisans (10-9) (Latvia) vs Oskar “Shrek” Herczyk (10-7) (Poland)
With 17 professional bouts behind him, the Pole Herczyk returns to Raju for the third time and faces the Latvian Leisans, who has earned six of his ten wins by knockout. Herczyk is a fighter who never backs down and applies relentless pressure. This time it will become clear whether the same tactic pays off against such a dangerous striker.
Arturs Leisans vs Oskar HerczykThe Bears’ Meeting: Raigo “The Estonian Bear” Kutsar vs German “Kung Fu Panda” Mili (Germany)
Raigo Kutsar (3-2) has been matched with the German amateur champion German Mili, seven years his junior, who makes his professional debut at Raju.
Raigo Kutsar vs German MiliReturn of Women’s Fighting: Aisel Agajeva (2-1) vs Samanta Dorči (4-5) (Latvia)
After a 13-year break, women fighters take their place at Raju once again. Estonia’s representative Aisel Agajeva meets the Latvian fighter Samanta Dorči. Alongside MMA and Muay Thai, Aisel has spent 11 years in rhythmic gymnastics and 4 years in athletics.
Amateur Heavyweight Battle: Kennet Künnarpuu vs Per Kjetil Tønnessen (Norway)
Estonian freestyle wrestling champion and MMA Baltic title winner Künnarpuu (7-2) from Pärnu faces IMMAF World Cup silver medallist Tønnessen in the 97+ kg amateur weight category.
Event Information
Until 9 October the Evecon Raju fight cage is set up at the T1 shopping centre, where demo training sessions are also taking place. Follow the promotion on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a competitive form of unarmed combat that combines the most spectacular elements of several combat sports. The aim of a mixed martial artist is either to knock the opponent out or to force a submission with a submission hold. MMA bouts are held in a special cage enclosed by mesh fencing. The eight-sided octagon arena keeps the fighters safe and gives the sporting duel a gladiatorial appeal.
Evecon Raju continues its mission of bringing international-level competition to the Estonian MMA scene and of supporting the development of athletes both in Estonia and beyond. The league’s main sponsor is the sports betting portal FenixBet.
Evecon is the leading privately held energy company in the Baltics, developing an energy portfolio of more than 2.7 GW centred on battery, solar and wind park development. Evecon’s many projects include the largest solar park in the Baltics and the largest battery park complex in continental Europe.
