Endrike Käänik will step back into the cage at The Clash 5 fight night this October. The young fighter, who trains at the Invicta sports club in Pärnu, considers his family, friends, and training partners to be his greatest support; over the years, they have formed a strong and close-knit team. “Family is always number one in life. Family, friends, and the people close to me,” says Käänik.
Although her mother has told her for years that combat sports can be dangerous and that it would be better to stay away from them, Käänik has never doubted her choice. “I know what I’m doing, and I feel like I was born for this. Fighting is exactly what I want to do.”
Combat sports helped her find inner peace
For Käänik, combat sports aren’t just about matches, results, and athletic achievements. Training has helped him cope with difficult times and stay on a steady course in life. “Thanks to combat sports, I’ve found a great deal of inner peace and gotten through difficult times. The sport has kept me away from foolishness and perhaps even the wrong people. At the same time, it has brought the right people into my life.”
"Thanks to combat sports, I’ve found a great deal of inner peace and gotten through difficult times."
— Endriike Käänik
The camaraderie among the athletes training at Invictas is also evident on fight nights, when they come together as a large team to cheer each other on. According to Käänik, this didn’t happen overnight, but has developed through shared training sessions and experiences. “We have our own tight-knit group. When someone comes to training and we see that they’re a person with a big heart, we always welcome them into our circle.”
As an example, he cites Karol-Kenneth Lootus, with whom he hadn’t been close before. “He joined us for training about two years ago. Training brought us together, and now we’re very good friends. It’s like a family.”
You can find your people at the gym
Käänik had thought about taking up combat sports when he was younger, but he lacked the confidence. At first, he planned to get stronger at the gym and only then join Invictus. Now he encourages even those young people who feel insecure, are shy, or face bullying at school to come to practice. “We’re not arrogant, and we don’t make fun of anyone. On the contrary—if someone comes to training and does their thing, we have a lot of respect for that. Come to training and trust me, you’ll find your place here.”
Preparation for The Clash 5 also depends on sponsors
In October, Käänik has his next match at The Clash coming up. Preparation is proceeding according to the usual training schedule, but the athlete also has bigger plans in mind, the realization of which depends on support from sponsors. As he prepares for the competition, the volume of training increases, leaving less time for other work. “When you’re preparing for a match, it’s pretty tough financially because you’re completely focused on training. There isn’t much time left for other things.” Sponsors enable the athlete to dedicate themselves to preparation, cover the costs associated with training camps and workouts, and arrive at the competition in the best possible shape.
The Desire to Be a Role Model for His Younger Brothers
Käänik’s main dream isn’t just about victories or titles. He wants to make his family proud through his journey and show his younger brothers that consistent hard work can lead to positive change. “My personal dream has always been to make my family proud and to be a role model for my younger brothers. I want to show them the way and help them get on the right track in the future.”
"My personal dream has always been to make my family proud and to be a role model for my younger brothers."
— Endrike Käänik
Endrike Käänik will step into the cage on October 24 at The Clash 5 fight night, taking place at Unibet Arena in Tallinn, as part of the program for the inaugural 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.