Siim Udras, one of the main organizers of the 2026 European Combat Sports Festival, came to organize this major project through his previous experience in youth work and project management. Since combat sports have played an important role in his own life, he saw an opportunity to combine these two fields and bring an event to Estonia that offers athletes more than just competitive matches.
Taking place October 20–24 at the Unibet Arena in Tallinn, the European Combat Sports Festival combines competitions with an educational program for the entire combat sports community. According to Udrase, the festival focuses on long-term impact—knowledge that participants can later apply on their own journeys. “Since combat sports are very close to my heart, I feel that they have helped me a great deal in life, and I see how they have helped other young people, so I want to pass this on to everyone else as well,” says Udras.
The goal is to provide knowledge that stays with the participants
The festival received funding from the European Union, in part for promoting social inclusion and healthy lifestyles. According to Udras, it’s important that the festival not remain just a single major event, but rather provide people with something more lasting. “Everything is free for athletes and participants. The whole purpose of this event is for people to gain knowledge that they can take with them and apply later.”
“The whole point of this event is for people to gain knowledge that they can take with them and apply later.”
— Siim Udras, chief organizer
According to Udras, organizing such a large event also means a great deal of responsibility and a lot of work. “At times, I’ve thought to myself that what we’ve taken on is completely out of this world. At times, it’s even a little scary, but then you just have to roll up your sleeves and get to work,” says Udras.
The organization is built on a collective effort
The Clash’s organizing team has operated in Pärnu until now, and moving to Tallinn means more tasks and greater responsibility. According to Udras, there are no fixed roles on the team—when needed, everyone pitches in wherever help is needed. “We’re all fully committed to this and contribute everything we have. If, for example, there’s a task related to sports and I, as the project manager, shouldn’t be handling it, then if Mihkel can’t do it, I’ll step in. And if I can’t manage it, then Mihkel, Karl, or Heleri will. We all just give it our all.”
Currently, Udras sees outreach as one of the biggest challenges. According to him, many people still don’t know enough about what the festival is all about or that its educational program is free. “We definitely encounter some mild skepticism, but I think that’s because people simply don’t know yet.”
Combat sports build self-confidence and mental resilience
Udras says that combat sports have helped him build self-confidence and cope with situations that seem difficult or uncomfortable. “Ever since I was young, I’ve dreamed of doing great things and have been full of drive, but perhaps as a young man, I lacked self-confidence and mental resilience. In combat sports, you face challenges in training that are complex and difficult. Sometimes you don’t want to go to practice; other times you go and get knocked around. But regularly overcoming that difficulty builds self-confidence, a strong spirit, and also puts you in great physical shape.”
"Combat sports are where you go to training and face something that’s complicated and difficult."
— Siim Udras, chief organizer
He sees the same impact on other young people and considers the values of the combat sports community to be one of the sport’s strengths. “When you walk into a combat sports gym or attend a combat sports training session, those values and that community stick with you whether you want them to or not. These values are respect, self-confidence, and peace of mind—exactly what most people need in their lives.”
The festival offers opportunities for athletes, coaches, and clubs
According to Udrase, the festival is worth attending both for those who want to compete and for those who want to advance in combat sports as a coach, referee, or organizer. “If you want to be part of the top event on the Estonian combat sports scene, it’s worth coming.”
He invites club leaders, gym owners, coaches, and referees to join the festival to provide athletes with more opportunities and boost the visibility of Estonian combat sports. “We want to offer your competitors and athletes a great platform for growth, where they can have tough matches, learn, and develop, and where both coaches and referees can further their education. A place where we can all come together and put Estonian combat sports even more firmly on the world map than it already is.”
- The European Combat Sports Festival 2026 will take place October 20–24 at Unibet Arena in Tallinn. The festival will culminate on October 24 with the Main Event, The Clash 5.
- Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.