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If you want to see the absolute pinnacle of fighting games, then there’s no better place than Evo.
Evo 2025 has concluded, and we once again have a new set of champions, though some of these faces are already familiar to fighting game fans.
The Las Vegas Convention Center was certainly busy. One by one, eight champions were crowned after nearly 12 hours of intense fighting game action. Grand finals Sunday always delivers in Evo, and there are too many highlights to count. So let’s keep it simple with a brief rundown of each champion of Evo 2025.
Saul “MenaRD” Mena II – Street Fighter 6
Capping off Evo 2025 was MenaRD winning another Street Fighter 6 tournament. This is the third Evo championship for The Bull and his second one this year after winning Evo Japan.
At this point, Mena’s prowess in Street Fighter 6 cannot be questioned. He never lost his winner’s side advantage as he quite simply dominated everyone in the upper bracket. Not even Kakeru, the million-dollar Parry Prince himself, could stand up to Mena as he was swept 3-0 both times in the upper and grand finals.
As impressive as Mena’s run was, the real standout of the tournament was the young 17-year-old kid from Hong Kong, Micky. This wildcard was putting established veterans and former champions into the dirt. He took down Evo 2023 champion Amjad “AngryBird” Al-Shalabi at the start of the lower bracket playoffs and kept going until Kakeru was able to put a stop to him in the lower finals.
Fortunately, this isn’t the last we’ll be seeing of him. His third-place finish has qualified him for both the Esports World Cup later this August and Capcom Cup 12 next year. We’ll see if the kid has what it takes to replicate his success.
Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique – Tekken 8
At this point, Arslan Ash doesn’t need any more proof that he’s the GOAT of the modern era Tekken. But that’s definitely not going to stop him from winning Evo 2025 and putting him at six total Evo championships.
Like clockwork, Arslan always shows up when it comes to Evo events. First, he wins Evo Japan at the beginning of the year, then he wins Evo Vegas in the latter half. It’s a testament to his skill and work ethic, especially since he’s been vocal about his criticisms of Tekken 8. After all, it’s hard to argue with the man when he’s still world-class in a game he doesn’t enjoy playing.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – Goichi “GO1” Kishida
Not content with becoming the inaugural City of the Wolves champion at the Esports World Cup, GO1 decided he wanted to take Evo 2025 as well. The Japanese living legend can now add another game to his ever-growing list of mastered fighting games, and he’s not stopping anytime soon.
One of the funniest moments of grand finals Sunday happened to GO1, actually. People have been talking about Kazuyuki “KojiKOG” Koji’s epic crashout against GO1 in the upper bracket semis. What makes it even more hilarious is that KojiKOG was likely recreating a similar scenario that happened between them 10 years ago. Just goes to show how timeless GO1 is and the mental effects that come with fighting against a legend.
“Kshuewhatdamoo” – Guilt Gear Strive
Guilt Gear Strive has had an interesting history in Evo in that it’s never had a repeat champion in the four years it’s been on the mainstage. The game is infamous for its volatility, and only the most focused can make it to the top. That’s the story of this year’s champion, Kshuewhatdamoo. A regular among America’s Guilty Gear Strive’s online and local tournaments, Kshue has been steadily refining his skills until he finally got his big moment.
And it’s not like he had an easy path to the championship either. He beat Evo Japan 2025 champion Kim “Daru_I-no” Jae-won and ARC World Tour 2024 champion RedDitto to get there. Kshue was able to tame the wildness of Guilty Gear Strive, which definitely earned him his Evo 2025 trophy.
Championship Lightning Round
Joining the hall of Evo champions is a new face: Mathieu “Kojucoco” Fardet, winner of Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising. Then we have Ken “Khaos” Villalobos, winner of this year’s Marvel vs. Capcom 2 throwback tournament. Defiant takes the Under Night In-Birth II tournament.
And last and definitely not least is Dominique “SonicFox” McLean taking Mortal Kombat 1. This puts SonicFox at eight Evo titles across six different games.
Banner photo from Street Fighter.