“That saltiness and anger stays with the game”: MenaRD on Kemonomichi controversy, Evo Vegas, and what keeps him positive at every tourney

No one could be stunned to see Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II win the Road Fighter 6 match at Evo Vegas 2026. He’s thought-about among the best SF6 gamers on the planet proper now. Nevertheless, his journey to Evo this 12 months was completely out of the atypical for him.

Fortunately, MenaRD has the correct 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.

MenaRD didn’t have a really profitable Evo Japan this 12 months, which was fairly stunning when taken at face worth. He received Evo Japan 2025 in any case. To not point out he’d simply received a first-to-10 exhibition match in opposition to Daigo Umehara, also known as the GOAT of Road Fighter.

Nevertheless, that was a part of the issue.

As an alternative of specializing in upcoming tournaments, MenaRD determined to place his all into the Kemonomichi Legends LIVE. It was one thing he had been trying ahead to for years. He first requested Daigo for the honour final 12 months, clearly taking the concept of an exhibition match very significantly.

“It might be the best honor of my profession if I had the chance to combat you in a first-to-10,” MenaRD wrote on X to the legend final 12 months. “Since I used to be younger, I’ve devoted myself to preparation, and I ponder 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 “largest privilege” within the Road 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 very good problem.

As soon as the exhibition match was accepted and the date was set in stone, MenaRD began getting ready. He completely targeted on the Daigo match for a whole month, a group from Japan and one from his residence, the Dominican Republic, by his aspect.

“It’s some of the difficult issues I’ve ever executed,” he mentioned. “On the finish of the day, it was actually essential as a result of I wished to be at a stage that might problem him and be price his time. He was additionally getting ready. It made me actually comfortable that it was price it.”

In the long run, MenaRD received 6-10. Nevertheless it wasn’t about profitable 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 amazing, worthwhile match.

It was a proud second, however sadly, it was shrouded in controversy on the time. The Japanese FGC felt the Evo broadcast didn’t take the “Beast Path” significantly. This was extra essential than profitable a match or gaining a title. For a lot of, the loser was thought-about “lifeless.” 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.

“Truthfully, I felt just like the manufacturing tried their finest. Similar to competitors, some days aren’t your finest day. Once I don’t have the efficiency I need, I simply study from it and do higher subsequent time. That’s what’s going to occur. The Evo group has at all times given among the finest reveals. They’ll 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 12 months. After profitable in opposition to Daigo, he landed in ninth place at Evo Japan. However he didn’t let it get to him. Actually, he type of anticipated it. Getting ready for a grueling weekend of matches in opposition to a variety of fighters is far totally different than specializing in beating a single individual.

MenaRD was in a position to overcome a end that will crush different prime gamers as a result of his mindset. And that helped him lock in at different occasions throughout the 12 months as effectively.

MenaRD usually mentions his “wonderful group,” which consists of pals, colleagues, and coaches. They not solely assist him enhance at Road Fighter but in addition present psychological help, which is in the end much more essential. 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… Typically simply too aggressive. He informed me it may be robust for gamers to depart that form of considering on the stage, particularly after a loss. However “after 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 perfect setting potential.

“That saltiness and anger are at all times there, nevertheless it stays with the sport.”

If you happen to keep in that failure mindset, MenaRD mentioned, that may get in the best way of a aggressive mindset. That’s when gamers begin to spiral and fumble.

Fortunately, this help has gotten him some very massive and particular W’s. It was enormous when MenaRD received Blink Respawn, his first win within the Dominican Republic. He’s been attempting 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 personal space to follow away from the followers earlier than he received on stage. Additionally they had a day targeted on fan service, so the competitors day might really feel extra targeted.

It’s no shock that followers go loopy within the Dominican Republic. Despite the fact 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 provide again to the native scene. He will likely be opening the Bandits Dojo later this 12 months, offering coaching and a follow area for younger Road Fighter gamers.

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 remains to be a particular occasion for Mena and plenty of different gamers.

“It’s all about legacy and all of the gamers which have executed this earlier than, all of the gamers that I’m attempting to pursue. Arslan Ash and Justin Wong, they’ve received so many Evo occasions. It’s a testomony to longevity,” MenaRD mentioned. “I’m attempting to get that consistency at Evo tournaments. Evo is the height of preventing sport tournaments. In case you have a number of Evo championships, you’re in that dialog with the greats.

“It takes self-discipline to at all times be the perfect even after you have got received. It’s more durable than getting that first win, in my view.”

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 targeted on himself and his personal mechanics, making an attempt to remain as sharp as potential.

Fortunately, MenaRD has his group to help him. The whole lot will likely be okay. He’s ready for all the intense matches forward.

His largest problem? Keita “Fuudo” Ai, a legendary and constant participant from Japan. He has turn into one of many largest obstacles for MenaRD. However – after all – this isn’t one thing that has him stressed. That’s not MenaRD.

“I really feel I received one thing for him,” he mentioned with fun. “I wanna strive it out this match.”