Pekka Mäki: Ice Cage Is a 'Circus' Putting Fighters at Risk

Saturday's Ice Cage event in Finland blends sport and spectacle, creating safety and matchmaking concerns, veteran coach Pekka Mäki told Tamperelainen. Mäki, who has coached champions Amin Asikainen and Edis Tatli and worked as a manager and promoter, welcomes the increased visibility for combat sports but warned the show's elements can overshadow athletic values.

According to Tamperelainen, Ice Cage 7 has kicked off in Tampere, and the outlet is offering its “Seuraamme” live feed as the main way for readers to follow developments. It is designed as a single continuous stream, with progress, coverage and short reports published on the website in real time.

"It sometimes veers into circus entertainment," he said, arguing that uneven matchups, large weight gaps and fights staged in a cage distort the public's view of how hard it is to reach a high level. He also flagged safety worries after Juho Tolppola — out of competitive boxing since 2015 and reportedly with long-term health problems — was briefly listed for the card, calling that decision a clear misjudgment.

On the night's final bout, Makwan Amirkhani defeated Alexander “Stagala” Krigsman. Tamperelainen reports the fight went the full six rounds, with all three judges scoring for Amirkhani.

In his post-fight remarks, Amirkhani said the bout pushed him beyond his comfort zone: “It was completely new, I was even more nervous than in MMA fights.” Tamperelainen adds that he also noted one of Stagala’s punches “actually did hurt.”

Amirkhani further used his platform to call for a safer fight culture, urging discipline beyond the ring: “We are role models for young people. Violence must stay in the cage. Outside it is no longer allowed.”

Earlier on the card, Mäki had expected Amirkhani to get the better of Stagala and saw Toni Valtonen beating Roger Karimus despite the size difference. He doubted Aapo Rovanperä's prospects, and thinks Niko Korventaus versus Volodymyr Holubiev could be the most even contest. While there are skilled fighters on the card, Mäki said the event's emphasis on spectacle and looser regulation compared with professional boxing raises questions about responsibility, medical oversight and respect between opponents after the bell. He called that worrying.