{"id":24511,"date":"2021-11-15T05:41:43","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T05:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ginx.tv\/mkleo-clutches-one-of-smash-ultimate-s-most-exciting-grand-finals-wins-mainstage"},"modified":"2024-07-19T10:39:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T10:39:34","slug":"mkleo-clutches-one-of-smash-ultimate-s-most-exciting-grand-finals-wins-mainstage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginx.tv\/en\/smash-ultimate\/mkleo-clutches-one-of-smash-ultimate-s-most-exciting-grand-finals-wins-mainstage","title":{"rendered":"MkLeo clutches one of Smash Ultimate’s most exciting grand finals, wins Mainstage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Death, taxes, and Leonardo “MkLeo” López clutching a set, as inevitable as always, the Mexican sensation once again defied the odds with his ice-cold blood helping him snatch victory from Edgar “Sparg0” Valdez’s grasp at Mainstage.<\/p>\n

Leo, a consolidated Byleth main much to the dismay of Joker fans everywhere, hasn’t skipped a beat since offlines returned earlier this year, making it to grands of every single one, with Mainstage, undoubtedly the most-stacked in 2021, being no different.<\/p>\n

The major held in California not only played host to some of North America’s finest but was the first open-bracket event to feature top players from abroad — French Wario main William “Glutonny” Belaïd and Japanese Pac-Man specialist Takuma “Tea” Hirooka.<\/p>\n

Rising above the rest, perhaps the two most consistent players in the world earned their spot in the grand finals. MkLeo did so from winners, earning wins against Matt “Elegant” Fitzpatrick, Tea, Luis “Lui$” Oceguera, and Brian “Cosmos” Kalu.<\/p>\n

\"The
The clutch master does it again. (Picture: BeyondTheSummit)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Sparg0, an early defeat against fellow Mexican Santiago “Chag” Pérez in Top 64 served as a catalyst for the young 15-year-old prodigy, who then proceeded to knock out Eric “ESAM” Lew, Kolawole “Kola” Aideyan, Paris “Light” Ramirez, Tea, Elegant, and even getting his runback against Chag in Top 8.<\/p>\n

Sparg0, who placed no lower than third at every offline in 2021 he’s attended, has been on the cusp of earning his first major win, falling short on both Smash Con: Fall Fest<\/a> and Port Priority 6<\/a>, failing to win a set during each of those grand finals.<\/p>\n

Being warmed up coming into his match with Leo and playing at his peak, the former solo Cloud main managed to take the first set against a sluggish looking Byleth from the T1 rep, with the Fire Emblem character getting outpaced by Aegis’ combination of speed and great neutral tools.<\/p>\n