Today, the first amateur fighters were announced who will step into the cage to compete in the €1,000 amateur 4-man tournament at Evecon RAJU 18 – Alexander Ganin (38), from Narva, and Randel Uibo (26), from Sindi near Pärnu, in the 70.3 kg weight class.
Four amateur fighters will enter the cage over the course of the tournament, two of whom are known by now and will be joined by two foreign competitors. Alexander Ganin and Randel Uibo have a number of sporting achievements under their belts, but they are also role models and community leaders.
From Saving Lives to Winning MMA Fights: The Rise of Randel Uibo
The first confirmed fighter is Randel Uibo, who comes from the small town of Sindi and represents the Pärnu sports club Invicta. “Randel is a 19-time Estonian wrestling champion, winning titles in different styles and age groups,” said Ott Tõnissaar, CEO of Evecon Raju. “He made a complete turn into the world of MMA in 2022 and has risen rapidly to the top since then.” In 2023, Randel Uibo was crowned Champion of Estonia in the 77.1 kg class and this year he won a new title in the 74.8 kg class, winning both the semi-final and the final in the first round – by submission and technical knockout, respectively.
He also won the RAJU 16 event by a unanimous decision. Randel has six wins and four losses as an amateur. His fighting style is one of constant pressure and no compromise – he will not back down. Outside the cage, Randel is a rescue worker, literally acting as a line of defence for his community outside the sports hall.
MMA Champion and Pastry Chef: Alexander Ganin Balances Finesse and Fire
The other fighter taking part in the tournament is Alexander Ganin, who is from Narva and represents the Tallinn sports club Tokon. Alexander’s career as a fighter began in 2018. “He has 10 wins and seven losses in MMA, of which eight wins have come by submission – a clear indication of his technical ability and smarts in the cage,” said Tõnissaar. “He is a two times Champion of Estonia – he won in 2021 and 2022 – and became Champion of the Baltic States in 2021.”
At this year’s Estonian Championships, Ganin defeated his opponents in the preliminary round and in the first round in the semi-finals, but was defeated in the final. Despite this, Ganin remains calm and focused – his style is flexible and adaptable depending on the opponent. When he’s not training or competing, Alexander works as a pastry chef.
Both Randel Uibo and Alexander Ganin epitomize what Evecon RAJU aims to highlight with its €1,000 prize-money amateur tournament.
The next event – Evecon RAJU 18 – will take place on 20 September at Tondiraba Ice Hall in Tallinn.
Fight card: https://mmaraju.com/
Tickets: https://mmaraju.com/tickets/
Pay-per-view: https://mmaraju.com/watch-live/