The competitive world of Dota 2 has once again been rocked by a familiar, yet consistently unwelcome, controversy. Kanishka “BuLba” Sosale, a prominent coach in the discipline, has publicly responded to allegations of bullying leveled against him by former player Mark “mangekyou” Kharlamov. This exchange follows mangekyou`s admission to participating in match-fixing, an act that continues to plague the integrity of esports.
The Initial Spark: 322 and Accusations
The saga began with BuLba publicly accusing Kharlamov of involvement in “322” matches—a term synonymous with match-fixing in Dota 2, derived from a notorious early instance of the act. In response, mangekyou issued a lengthy open letter, confessing to his participation in these illicit activities. However, his confession was accompanied by a counter-narrative: accusations against Sosale, claiming he had subjected him to periodic humiliation, criticism of his gameplay, and even, somewhat dramatically, broke his monitor.
BuLba`s Rebuttal: A Different Narrative Unfolds
In a direct refutation reported via DotaNews` Telegram channel, Sosale unequivocally denied mangekyou`s claims of bullying. BuLba presented a starkly different account of Kharlamov`s conduct during his tenure. According to Sosale, mangekyou exhibited consistently toxic behavior, frequently arrived late, and demonstrated a profound lack of communication—both in-game and during crucial team training sessions. Rather than focusing on professional development, the player reportedly prioritized personal streaming and public matchmaking over team commitments.
“He was toxic, always late, never talked in games or practice, and preferred streams and matchmaking.”
– Kanishka “BuLba” Sosale
The coach further elaborated on mangekyou`s alleged reluctance to engage in practice matches, often leading to the cancellation of scheduled training sessions. This professional friction, BuLba claims, culminated in concrete evidence surfacing that implicated Kharlamov in 322 activities. This evidence ultimately led to a decisive response from the management of Shopify Rebellion, resulting in mangekyou`s dismissal from the organization.
A Brief, Tumultuous Alliance at Shopify Rebellion
Both Sosale and Kharlamov were part of the Shopify Rebellion roster, with mangekyou representing the club from September 2024 to February 2025 (as per original reports, though dates related to tournament participation may imply a prior season). During his time with the team, Shopify Rebellion secured a 7th-8th place finish at ESL One Bangkok 2024 and a 15th-16th position at FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade 2025. These results, while not catastrophic, occurred amidst the underlying tensions and alleged unprofessional conduct now coming to light.
The Unending Echo of Match-Fixing and Personal Feuds
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by the esports industry in maintaining competitive integrity. The “he said, he said” nature of these public disputes often leaves fans and observers to parse through conflicting accounts, highlighting the complex human element within high-stakes professional gaming.
One might almost admire the audacity: confessing to a serious ethical breach while simultaneously attempting to deflect blame by accusing a former mentor of misconduct. A classic move in the annals of public relations, perhaps, if not for the inherent damage to one`s own credibility.
As of the time of this publication, Mark “mangekyou” Kharlamov is not actively competing on the professional Dota 2 scene. The repercussions of match-fixing continue to be severe, with players often facing lengthy bans or, as in mangekyou`s case, a complete exit from the competitive circuit. For organizations like Shopify Rebellion and coaches like BuLba, navigating these turbulent waters—balancing player welfare with competitive integrity—remains an ongoing and often thankless task.
Jasper Hawthorne