Esports World Cup 2025 delivers new milestones, rising stars in week 2

Week 2 of the 2025 Esports World Cup has concluded in Riyadh with four new champions crowned
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Updated 22 July 2025
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Esports World Cup 2025 delivers new milestones, rising stars in week 2

  • 4 new champions crowned as teams compete for prize pool of $70m and Club Championship crown

RIYADH: Week two of the 2025 Esports World Cup wrapped up here with four new champions, as thousands of the world’s top players continue to battle for a share of the record $70 million prize pool and Club Championship crown.

The Club Championship leaderboard had several teams secure points across multiple games.

 

Gen.G make League of Legends history

South Korea’s Gen.G Esports captured their second international title in just over a week, defeating AG.AL 3-2 in a thrilling League of Legends grand final.

Their undefeated run through the Esports World Cup, combined with their MSI 2025 title, has extended their winning streak to 26 matches, marking one of the most dominant eras in history.

With this win, Gen.G becomes the fastest team to secure back-to-back international League of Legends titles.

 

Team Spirit dominate in Dota 2

Team Spirit emerged as the champions of the Dota 2 tournament, dropping just one game across the entire event, and dismantling Team Falcons 3-0 in the final.

“There is not really much emotion as the grand final was not that hard,” said captain Iaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov.

 

Team Vitality perfect in MLBB Women’s Invitational

Team Vitality stormed to a flawless 4-0 victory over Gaimin Gladiators in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational, reclaiming their crown after falling short last year.

They also broke the MWI fastest match record twice, reclaiming it with a 9 minute, 36 second victory in the grand final.

Sisters Cindy “Cinnyyy” Siswanto and Michelle “Chelll” Siswanto secured their first EWC title, following a heartbreaking runner-up finish in 2024.

 

EVOS Esports triumph in Free Fire

Indonesia’s EVOS Esports dominated the Free Fire tournament with consistent performances and clutch plays.

They reached match point by Game 6 of the finals and secured the championship after a dramatic final battle against Team Vitality.

The spotlight also shined on 15-year-old phenom Rasyah “Rasyah” Rasyid, who became the youngest MVP in EWC history, earning the SONY MVP Award and $10,000 in prize money.

Other key results had Honor of Kings finalize its top eight playoff teams, with Paws Gaming, Nova Esports, and AG.AL leading the charge.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons claimed the Overwatch Champions Series Midseason Last Chance Qualifier, defeating ZETA DIVISION to secure their place in the OWCS Midseason Championship beginning July 31.

 

Club Championship standings 

At the close of week two on July 20, Team Vitality lead the Club Championship standings, with Gen.G Esports in hot pursuit. Team Falcons and AG.AL are close behind.

With eight clubs now holding titles across different games, teams earning points in multiple disciplines are beginning to separate from the rest of the pack.


Kuwait welcomes its new PFL MENA champion

Updated 19 December 2025
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Kuwait welcomes its new PFL MENA champion

  • Mohammad Alaqraa, 25, hailed on return home after welterweight title win over Badreddine Diani in Alkhobar

DUBAI: On Dec.15 Mohammad Alaqraa touched down at Kuwait International Airport carrying something he had been chasing for years: the PFL MENA welterweight championship belt.

His arrival came just 10 days after a unanimous decision victory over Morocco’s Badreddine Diani at Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. It marked a significant milestone for the Kuwaiti fighter and the combat sports landscape in the Middle East.

Greeted at the airport by his father, brother, excited fans and media representatives, Alaqraa spoke about his plans.

“It’s been a long journey, thanks to everyone that came to the airport and past events. Just like I promised I’ll get the MENA championship, my goal is to raise Kuwait’s name in this sport (and) now I promise next time I’ll come back with a world title,” he said.

Alaqraa’s arrival became an impromptu celebration. Fans had phone cameras ready for selfies and videos as he emerged holding his belt.

The championship fight against Diani was a full five-round affair that showcased Alaqraa’s growth. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favor. Alaqraa had established control through pressure wrestling, fence work, and a steady jab.

The win was sweet after losing by referee’s stoppage to Omar El-Dafrawy in the 2024 PFL MENA Finals.

Alaqraa defeated Omar Hussein and Ayman Galal en route to the 2025 finals, with his semifinal victory over Galal ending in just 21 seconds with an oblique kick, the fastest finish in PFL MENA history.

At 25 years old, Alaqraa now holds a 10-1 record in MMA. His background encompasses multiple martial arts disciplines developed since childhood. He holds a judo black belt and finished first in an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tournament before turning professional in 2021.

Since leaving Kuwait at 17 to pursue MMA, Alaqraa has trained at American Kickboxing Academy under head coach Javier Mendez, the gym that has produced champions including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

Alaqraa graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in industrial systems engineering while developing his fighting career.​