Young Ukrainian talent Yevhenii “The Finisher” Kabanets, who lives and trains in Estonia, will face Georgian fighter Lasha “Zeus” Abashidze at the upcoming Evecon Raju event. Both fighters have proven themselves internationally and will make their professional debuts at RAJU.
Kabanets: A Rising Star with a World Championship Pedigree and Relentless Drive
According to Kabanets’ coach, Ott Tõnissaar, Yevhenii is a versatile and resilient fighter who has never been knocked out and has only been submitted once in his career. “He’s a true diamond in the rough. He keeps fighting as long as it’s physically possible. His technical precision and relentless endurance have made him a fighter with tremendous potential,” the coach noted.
Yevhenii Kabanets represented Ukraine at IMMAF competitions and has achieved remarkable victories at the World Championships. The highlight of his career so far is the U18 World Championship title in the 77.1 kg weight class in 2023. That was his third consecutive medal at the tournament — he won silver in 2022 and bronze in the U16 division in 2021. At Raju 16, Kabanets defeated Mario Gagliardi via submission in the second round.
From RAJU to the UFC: Kabanets Has His Sights Set High
After moving from Ukraine to Estonia, Kabanets joined the Tartu-based Englas club, where he trains under Ott Tõnissaar. He has since adapted well to both the local sports system and lifestyle.
“Training in Estonia and at Englas has taken me to a new level, both in striking and grappling, thanks to my team and coach. I’m looking forward to a spectacular debut at Raju 18 — aiming to finish the fight either by knockout or submission,” said Kabanets, whose goal is to reach the UFC. “And once I get there, the goal will change — to win the championship belt,” he added.
Batumi’s Own “Zeus” Builds Momentum on the Road to the UFC
Hailing from Batumi, Georgia, Lasha Abashidze is known for his explosive style and strong wrestling. Nicknamed “Zeus” in the MMA arena, he has gained attention for his quick submissions and aggressive striking. Abashidze holds an amateur record of 5 wins (1 by knockout, 2 by submission, and 2 by decision) and 2 losses (both by decision). He earned second place at the 2024 Georgian Championship and trains at the well-known Batumi Fight Academy, a respected hub for rising fighters in the region.
In 2024, Abashidze faced Gimbat Magomedov at the IMMAF World Championships — a bout he lost by decision. Magomedov is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in amateur MMA, holding the 2024 world and Asian championship titles, along with previous titles as the 2023 Asian and U21 world champion. Going the distance with a fighter of that caliber is a clear testament to Abashidze’s high skill level and resilience.
“I’ve been involved in active sports since I was 5 years old,” said Abashidze. “I haven’t stopped yet, and I won’t stop until I become a UFC champion.”
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/