Olavi-Tanel Kask will step back into The Clash cage in October and is approaching his next match with a clear goal: to build a professional career in combat sports and go as far as possible. “I want to be a successful professional athlete and build a career. I also want to show younger people that it’s possible—you just have to show up consistently and put in the work,” says Kask.
The interview with Olavi-Tanel Kask was recorded on June 16, 2026, at the Invicta Sports Club in Pärnu.
Kask got into combat sports because he wanted to make a change in his life
Sports have played an important role in Kask’s life since childhood. He has competed in track and field, participated in running competitions, and played soccer for ten years. At some point, however, regular exercise took a back seat, and that’s when he felt he needed a major change in his daily life. “I felt like something was missing and that I needed to get my life back on track—go to school, study, and find a sport to pursue again. Sports were actually always a part of me.”
He was partly drawn to combat sports because two people close to him were involved in MMA. Kask decided to start with Muay Thai, however, because stand-up fighting appealed to him more. “I liked MMA, but the grappling aspect didn’t appeal to me as much at first. I wanted to fight standing up above all else, which is why I chose Muay Thai.” At the same time, he doesn’t rule out the possibility of trying MMA in the future.
Difficult experiences have given him the mental strength to compete
Kask has also spoken publicly in the past about his difficult childhood. For him, combat sports were one of the things that helped him channel his energy and emotions and set his life on a different path. “My childhood was pretty tough, and there were a lot of disappointments. Training helped me become a better person and a better athlete.”
"Training helped me become a better person and a better athlete."
— Olavi-Tanel Kask
His past experiences have also changed his attitude toward competition. The ring doesn’t fill him with fear, but rather a desire to test himself. “When you’ve already gone through difficult things in life, stepping into the ring no longer feels like an insurmountable challenge. You just want to see what you’re capable of against another athlete.”
Professional sports require choices even outside the gym
Kask considers consistency to be one of the most important foundations of his development. According to him, you can’t take competitive sports seriously just when you happen to have the time or feel like it. “I’ve skipped birthdays and other events to be at practice. If you want to compete and achieve something, you have to show up.”
He considers this one of the greatest lessons combat sports can teach younger people as well. In his view, training teaches discipline, self-control, and the ability to push through when it would be easier to give up. “Combat sports teach you to control your ego and work hard. If you can handle these things in the gym, it’s also easier to resolve difficult situations in everyday life.”
"Combat sports teach you to control your ego and work hard."
— Olavi-Tanel Kask
Preparations for The Clash 5 Are Already in Full Swing
Although there were still several months left until the October match at the time of the interview, Kask had already begun his regular training regimen. “I train twice a day from Monday through Saturday and set aside Sunday for recovery. I’m at the gym, I listen to the coaches, we go over everything, and I do everything I can to be 100 percent ready for the match.”
The Clash 5 is taking place in Tallinn for the first time this year, and Kask sees the event coming to Unibet Arena as an important step in the event’s overall development. “It’s been a long time since there’s been a major combat sports event at Unibet Arena. The Clash is here to stay, and we’ll see you in Tallinn this October.”
The Clash 5 will take place on October 24 at Unibet Arena in Tallinn as the final night of the European Combat Sports Festival.
- The European Combat Sports Festival 2026 will take place October 20–24 at Unibet Arena in Tallinn. The festival will culminate with the Main Event, The Clash 5, on October 24.
- Co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are 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.