In a startling revelation that has sent ripples through the competitive Dota 2 community, Ukrainian professional player Mark “mangekyou” Kharlamov has publicly confessed to his past involvement in match-fixing (colloquially known as “322”). However, his admission comes intertwined with a series of severe accusations against his former coach at Shopify Rebellion, Kanishka Sam “BuLba” Soosaila, detailing alleged abuse, public humiliation, and a post-departure campaign aimed at blacklisting him from tournaments.
The Desperate Confession: A Glimpse into Hardship
Kharlamov`s journey into the murky waters of match-fixing began, by his account, from a place of profound desperation. Relocated to Poland, facing dwindling family finances, and with rent looming, he found himself a high-ranked mid-player suddenly standing in as a carry with a limited hero pool. An acquaintance from public matches presented an offer: 322. Initially resistant, the promise of $4,000, under the condition that bets would be placed on his team`s victory, proved too tempting. He was assured that other teams were “bought” to lose, ensuring an easy win. The first incident, however, saw his team unexpectedly lose, leaving him in a precarious position.
The situation escalated. Mangekyou claims he was then coerced into intentionally losing a subsequent match, threatened with debt to an unspecified “mafia” if he refused. Fearing for his safety, he complied, citing his limited prowess as a carry player as a mitigating factor in “not having to try too hard to lose.” Irony, it seems, was not lost on the circumstances. Despite fulfilling his end of the bargain, he received no payment. A classic tale, perhaps, of being caught between a rock and a hard place, only to be left empty-handed.
BuLba`s Initial Acquiescence and the Looming Shadow of the Past
According to Mangekyou, his past transgressions were not a secret to BuLba. Prior to signing with Shopify Rebellion, BuLba directly confronted him about his match-fixing history. Mangekyou recounted the entire saga, expecting repercussions. To his surprise, BuLba`s initial response was, “You didn`t get the money and it was a long time ago. I trust you.” He was retained in the team, though BuLba reportedly expressed more concern over the existence of “proofs” – screenshots of transfers or confessions – and sought to manage the narrative with managers and other prominent figures like Fishman, who was already aware of Mangekyou`s history but viewed him as a “potentially good player.” The implication was clear: talent could seemingly outweigh past ethical lapses, provided they remained sufficiently buried.
Life Under Shopify Rebellion: A Crucible of Pressure
Mangekyou’s tenure at Shopify Rebellion, from September 2024 to February 2025, quickly devolved into a mentally taxing experience. He recounted significant challenges even before formal competition began, primarily a three-month absence from team bootcamps in Canada due to visa issues. This isolation, coupled with his self-described “antisocial” nature and difficulty interacting with new people offline, made his eventual arrival at ESL One Bangkok 2024 a trial by fire. The tournament environment itself, crammed with an “enormous delegation” including psychologists, contract managers, videographers, and analysts, created a chaotic atmosphere that Mangekyou found overwhelming, hindering his ability to focus even during solo practice sessions.
The pressure from BuLba was reportedly constant and pervasive. Mangekyou describes being forced to adhere to specific social behaviors, such as smiling and attending breakfasts, even receiving direct messages during meals to “be grateful, don`t look at your phone.” This intense scrutiny created a suffocating environment that escalated with each defeat.
The Breaking Point: Monitor, Abuse, and Scapegoating
The situation reached a critical juncture after a loss to Falcons. Mangekyou, seeking respite and personal practice, was allegedly compelled by BuLba to play scrims, even being forced onto an ill-suited hero (Visage) despite identifying a better draft. Following this loss, the alleged abuse turned physical: BuLba reportedly struck Mangekyou`s ESL monitor, causing it to shut down. This was followed by a half-hour tirade, delivered in front of the entire team, praising Shopify Rebellion`s generosity while lambasting Mangekyou. “It was at that moment I realized this was not my team,” he stated.
Despite his desire to leave, Mangekyou was persuaded to stay for winter qualifiers. The team`s performance, however, continued to falter, and Mangekyou claims he became the sole target of blame. A minor disagreement with teammate Timado reportedly escalated into BuLba intervening, allegedly calling Mangekyou a “son of a bitch,” accusing him of having a “big ego” and a “one-pool” hero strategy, and – in a stark turn from his earlier stance – re-introducing accusations of 322. The very past BuLba had seemingly forgiven was now being wielded as a weapon, a testament to the shifting sands of competitive pressure.
Further alleged incidents included BuLba snatching Mangekyou`s phone and threatening to throw it out a window, pushing him to tears, and a psychologist`s intervention that, while acknowledging the pressure, advised Mangekyou to “forget and win tomorrow – because you need it more than the organization.” The narrative paints a picture of intense psychological manipulation and a severe power imbalance.
The Departure and an Alleged Smear Campaign
After a series of disappointing performances, Mangekyou decided to leave Shopify Rebellion, expressing that he felt unfairly blamed for the team`s losses and saw no future with them. The team`s results, he notes, did not improve after his departure, suggesting the issues ran deeper than his individual performance.
However, the story did not end there. Mangekyou claims that BuLba then initiated a concerted effort to tarnish his reputation and prevent him from playing professionally. He alleges BuLba contacted managers and tournament organizers, falsely accusing him of match-fixing during his time at Shopify Rebellion`s ESL One Bangkok and FISSURE PLAYGROUND appearances. When Mangekyou attempted to play for a different team at PGL4, BuLba allegedly “ferociously sought to get him banned.”
Mangekyou further states that tournament operators (TOs), including ESL and PGL, confirmed BuLba`s attempts to have him banned for 322. Crucially, these organizations conducted their own investigations and found no evidence of his involvement in dishonest play during those periods. Both ESL and PGL have no outstanding claims against him, effectively debunking BuLba`s alleged assertions as false.
Broader Implications for Esports Integrity and Player Welfare
This unfolding saga between Mangekyou and BuLba highlights critical issues within the rapidly evolving esports industry: the vulnerability of players facing financial distress, the immense pressure within competitive environments, and the profound impact of alleged power abuse from coaching staff. While Mangekyou`s past match-fixing is a serious breach of integrity, his subsequent allegations against BuLba raise equally significant concerns about player welfare and ethical conduct at the highest levels of professional gaming.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the public statements made by Mark “mangekyou” Kharlamov. BuLba`s perspective on these specific allegations has not been publicly detailed at the time of this publication.
Jasper Hawthorne