Finnish combat sports veteran Jussi Pirttikangas makes a living from fighting

Finnish fighter Jussi Pirttikangas, 42, continues to compete professionally in mixed martial arts and Thai boxing, with his next bout set for May at the sold-out Ice Cage 7 event in Tampere, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Pirttikangas, a longtime figure in Finnish combat sports, has built a reputation for his knockout power in domestic competitions. “When you land clean with those small gloves, it usually puts them down,” he said modestly. His upcoming match will follow Thai boxing rules against 21-year-old Magamed “Maga” Gadiev.

Despite the age gap, Pirttikangas remains unfazed. “Injuries happen in all sports—footballers tear ligaments too,” he noted, adding that most of his own injuries have come from half-hearted training, not full-contact sparring.

From hobby to profession

Finnish combat sports events like Ice Cage now draw arena-sized crowds, with pay-per-view replays and social media clips amassing millions of views. The surge in popularity has also raised fighter pay, allowing Pirttikangas to support himself through competition.

“At this point, I can call myself a professional athlete,” he said with a laugh.

The boom has extended to his hometown club, Kobra Kai Kemi, where youth enrollment has spiked. Pirttikangas credits the new generation’s enthusiasm, noting many young fighters now train alongside him for national championships.

Mental game as tough as the physical

While physical conditioning is critical, Pirttikangas emphasizes the psychological challenge of full-contact fighting. Before his last Ice Cage bout, self-imposed pressure triggered physical stress symptoms.

“Fighters create unnecessary pressure for themselves,” he admitted, acknowledging that mental coaching—common among elite competitors—could have helped his career. Still, he accepts losses philosophically: “I don’t care what others think if I lose. But fighting poorly? That’s what stings.”

Retirement on the horizon

Pirttikangas plans to retire after his final hometown event this autumn, though he leaves the door open for a comeback. His focus will shift to coaching, including his own son—while recognizing the risks of mixing family and training.

“Experience brings calmness and fight IQ,” he reflected. “I don’t need to rush anymore.”