No person could be shocked to see Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II win the Avenue Fighter 6 match at Evo Vegas 2026. He’s thought-about among the best SF6 gamers on the earth proper now. Nonetheless, his journey to Evo this yr was completely out of the extraordinary for him.
Fortunately, MenaRD has the proper mindset to nonetheless win all of it. At Evo Vegas 2026, MenaRD spoke with Esports Insider forward of the match to debate his unorthodox journey and what it has taken to beat the obstacles in his path.
Kemonomichi Legends LIVE and Evo Japan Didn’t Go as Deliberate, However MenaRD’s Crew Had His Again
MenaRD didn’t have a really profitable Evo Japan this yr, which was fairly surprising when taken at face worth. He received Evo Japan 2025 in spite of everything. To not point out he’d simply received a first-to-10 exhibition match in opposition to Daigo Umehara, sometimes called the GOAT of Avenue Fighter.
Nonetheless, that was a part of the issue.
As a substitute of specializing in upcoming tournaments, MenaRD determined to place his all into the Kemonomichi Legends LIVE. It was one thing he had been wanting ahead to for years. He first requested Daigo for the honour final yr, clearly taking the thought of an exhibition match very significantly.
“It could be the best honor of my profession if I had the chance to battle you in a first-to-10,” MenaRD wrote on X to the legend last year. “Since I used to be younger, I’ve devoted myself to preparation, and I’m wondering how far we might take it if we determined to concentrate on a single set between us for months.”
Whereas talking with ESI, MenaRD mentioned it was the “greatest privilege” within the Avenue Fighter group to have Daigo settle for his proposal. It’s not one thing to be taken calmly. Not by MenaRD. Not by anyone. He solely requested as a result of he knew he was at some extent in his profession the place he might give Daigo a great problem.
As soon as the exhibition match was accepted and the date was set in stone, MenaRD began getting ready. He completely centered on the Daigo match for a complete month, a group from Japan and one from his house, the Dominican Republic, by his aspect.
“It’s probably the most difficult issues I’ve ever achieved,” he mentioned. “On the finish of the day, it was actually vital as a result of I wished to be at a stage that may problem him and be value his time. He was additionally getting ready. It made me actually pleased that it was value it.”
Ultimately, MenaRD received 6-10. However it wasn’t about successful for MenaRD. It was in regards to the match itself. He wished it to be entertaining for Daigo. He wished the 2 of them to have an awesome, worthwhile match.
It was a proud second, however sadly, it was shrouded in controversy at the time. The Japanese FGC felt the Evo broadcast didn’t take the “Beast Path” significantly. This was extra vital than successful a match or gaining a title. For a lot of, the loser was thought-about “useless.” Regardless of this, the stream had compelled hype moments, taking away from the depth and authenticity of the second.
Somebody on X wrote: “I’ll always remember the way you used the Beast Path as a instrument for earning money after which discarded it.”
Regardless of the controversy, MenaRD remained optimistic in regards to the expertise.
“Actually, I felt just like the manufacturing tried their finest. Identical to competitors, some days aren’t your finest day. After I don’t have the efficiency I need, I simply study from it and do higher subsequent time. That’s what is going to occur. The Evo group has at all times given a few of the finest reveals. They will do it once more. It’s a studying expertise. It’s unlucky. However I needed to do my job, and we achieved that. I do know subsequent time will likely be higher.”
And that’s actually been the theme for MenaRD all yr. After successful in opposition to Daigo, he landed in ninth place at Evo Japan. However he didn’t let it get to him. The truth is, he kind of anticipated it. Getting ready for a grueling weekend of matches in opposition to a variety of fighters is way completely different than specializing in beating a single individual.
MenaRD was capable of overcome a end which will crush different prime gamers on account of his mindset. And that helped him lock in at different occasions throughout the yr as nicely.
MenaRD usually mentions his “superb group,” which consists of associates, colleagues, and coaches. They not solely assist him enhance at Avenue Fighter but in addition present psychological assist, which is in the end much more vital. It’s usually a psychological state – not talent – that holds prime gamers again.
He isn’t superhuman. MenaRD has moments the place he will get in his head and begins to really feel salty, mad, pissed off… Generally simply too aggressive. He instructed me it may be powerful for gamers to go away that type of considering on the stage, particularly after a loss. However “once I step off that stage and the sport is over, I see all these folks engaged on making this occur and making me have the most effective atmosphere potential.
“That saltiness and anger are at all times there, but it surely stays with the sport.”
If you happen to keep in that failure mindset, MenaRD mentioned, that may get in the way in which of a aggressive mindset. That’s when gamers begin to spiral and fumble.
Fortunately, this assist has gotten him some very massive and particular W’s. It was big when MenaRD received Blink Respawn, his first win within the Dominican Republic. He’s been making an attempt to win it for some time now, however the native crowd has been an enormous problem. Pink Bull and his group got here in clutch, permitting him a non-public space to apply away from the followers earlier than he acquired on stage. In addition they had a day centered on fan service, so the competitors day might really feel extra centered.
It’s no shock that followers go loopy within the Dominican Republic. Regardless that MenaRD has moved to Japan for work, he by no means forgets about the place he got here from. The DR has usually been his motivation to win, permitting him to offer again to the native scene. He will likely be opening the Bandits Dojo later this yr, offering coaching and a apply area for younger Avenue Fighter gamers.
MenaRD is Prepared For Evo Vegas 2026
Now, MenaRD has to place all of the craziness and drama behind him and concentrate on Evo Vegas 2026. Regardless of the added areas and Saudi Arabia buy, Evo continues to be a particular occasion for Mena and plenty of different gamers.
“It’s all about legacy and all of the gamers which have achieved this earlier than, all of the gamers that I’m making an attempt to pursue. Arslan Ash and Justin Wong, they’ve received so many Evo occasions. It’s a testomony to longevity,” MenaRD mentioned. “I’m making an attempt to get that consistency at Evo tournaments. Evo is the height of combating sport tournaments. When you’ve got a number of Evo championships, you’re in that dialog with the greats.
“It takes self-discipline to at all times be the most effective even after you could have received. It’s more durable than getting that first win, for my part.”
Now, MenaRD has been pivoting from specializing in Daigo and dealing on his stamina. Evo is a stacked and exhasting weekend with tons of matches forward of the Grand Finals. Main as much as Vegas, MenaRD centered on himself and his personal mechanics, making an attempt to remain as sharp as potential.
Fortunately, MenaRD has his group to assist him. Every part will likely be okay. He’s ready for all the intense matches forward.
His greatest problem? Keita “Fuudo” Ai, a legendary and constant participant from Japan. He has grow to be one of many greatest obstacles for MenaRD. However – in fact – this isn’t one thing that has him stressed. That’s not MenaRD.
“I really feel I acquired one thing for him,” he mentioned with amusing. “I wanna strive it out this match.”
