The world of competitive Dota 2, often lauded for its high stakes and intense rivalries, has recently been shaken by a candid confession and a series of alarming allegations. Mark “Mangekyou” Kharlamov, a former professional player for Shopify Rebellion, has stepped forward to admit his past involvement in “322” match-fixing—a term that sends shivers down the spine of any esports enthusiast. But his revelations didn`t stop there; Mangekyou also detailed a harrowing experience with his former coach, Kanishka “BuLba” Sosale, alleging verbal abuse, intimidation, and an environment that bordered on hostile. This story peels back the veneer of professional esports, exposing the immense pressures and darker corners that players can face.
The Weight of Desperation: Mangekyou`s “322” Confession
The journey into match-fixing, Mangekyou explains, was not one of greed but of acute desperation. Facing significant financial hardship while living in Poland, with family funds dwindling and rent deadlines looming, the young player found himself in a precarious position. Despite a respectable rank in the competitive ladder, an offer of $4,000 to “322” a match—intentionally manipulate its outcome for betting purposes—proved a formidable temptation.
Initially, Mangekyou claims he agreed with a crucial condition: the bets would be placed on his team`s victory. He was reportedly assured that other teams were “bought out” to lose, making his team`s win a safe bet. However, this precarious arrangement soon went awry. A match where a significant sum was wagered on his team`s win ended in an unexpected loss. Mangekyou suggests possible foul play from his own teammates, asserting his intention was to win.
This failure, he states, led to a chilling ultimatum: “You must lose the next match, or you`ll be in debt.” Faced with what he described as fear of “the mafia” and potential physical harm, Mangekyou conceded. He claims he deliberately lost one match, attributing his “low skill” in the assigned carry role as making the task less arduous. The ironic twist? He never received the promised money, leaving him with “acute need for money, blackmail, one fixed match, and zero dollars.” A rather stark lesson in the dubious economics of underworld betting.
BuLba`s Calculated Acceptance and Escalating Pressure
Interestingly, Mangekyou states he confessed his entire 322 history to BuLba shortly after joining Shopify Rebellion. BuLba`s initial reaction, according to Mangekyou, was surprisingly lenient: “You didn`t get the money, and it was a long time ago. I trust you.” BuLba reportedly chose to keep him in the team, more concerned with the existence of “proof” like transfer screenshots or direct confessions, which Mangekyou confirms existed. Even another known figure, Fishman, apparently vouched for Mangekyou`s potential, despite knowing the past incident. This suggested a professional environment where talent could, at least initially, outweigh past missteps.
However, Mangekyou`s account quickly shifts from one of understanding to a narrative of intense and sustained pressure within Shopify Rebellion. The team`s bootcamp in Canada became an early point of contention, with Mangekyou unable to secure a visa for three months. This meant he met his teammates only a week before ESL One Bangkok, a significant hurdle for someone who describes himself as “a bit antisocial” and struggling with in-person interactions.
The tournament environment, Mangekyou recounts, rapidly deteriorated. A large “delegation” from Shopify Rebellion—including a psychologist, contract manager, videographer, and analyst—crammed into a 30-square-meter room, fostering constant chaos, cameras, and vlogging. Mangekyou described teammates hitting his chair during solo queue games, making focus impossible. BuLba, he alleges, enforced rigid social expectations: “forced me to smile, go to breakfasts, texting me directly during meals: `be grateful, don`t look at your phone`.” The pressure, Mangekyou stated, mounted daily.
A Monitor Shattered, a Spirit Broken
The turning point came after a particular loss. Mangekyou, seeking a break and personal reflection, was allegedly forced into another scrimmage by BuLba, who then drafted a hero Mangekyou deemed “terrible” for the situation. Following the defeat, Mangekyou describes a shocking incident:
“He came over, hit my (ESL) monitor so hard that it turned off, and then for 30 minutes, he [cursed] me out in front of the entire team, telling me how [great] Shopify is and what a chance they gave me.”
It was then, Mangekyou recalls, that he realized, “this is not my team.”
Despite his desire to leave, Mangekyou was persuaded to stay for the winter qualifiers. He redoubled his efforts, climbing to rank 1 in solo queue. Yet, team scrims reportedly brought renewed accusations, with Mangekyou allegedly being singled out for every mistake, despite collective performance issues. A minor disagreement with a teammate, Timado, allegedly escalated when BuLba intervened, calling Mangekyou a “son of a bitch,” accusing him of having a “big ego,” being a “one-hero player,” and, most pointedly, reiterating the 322 accusation. This, Mangekyou highlights, was despite BuLba`s earlier assurances that the past incident was minor and inconsequential.
The pattern of alleged abuse continued. During another tournament, FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade, Mangekyou claims he was again forced into an unfavorable hero pick and subsequently berated for two hours after a loss. In a moment of intense frustration, BuLba allegedly snatched Mangekyou`s phone, threatening to throw it out the window, driving him to tears. A psychologist, reportedly present, expressed shock at the pressure but advised Mangekyou to “forget it” and “win tomorrow — because you need it more than the organization.” A peculiar take on player well-being, one might argue.
The Aftermath: Allegations of Retaliation and Clearing His Name
After the team`s struggles continued, Mangekyou eventually decided to leave, citing being blamed for all losses and seeing no future with the team. He notes, with a touch of irony, that Shopify Rebellion`s results “did not change” after his departure, remaining “top-2 from the bottom.”
However, the story did not end there. Mangekyou alleges that BuLba began a campaign to damage his reputation, “spamming managers and tournament operators” with false claims that Mangekyou had fixed matches during their time together at ESL One Bangkok and FISSURE. When Mangekyou later arrived at PGL4 to play for another team, BuLba allegedly “ferociously sought his ban.” Mangekyou directly contacted tournament organizers (ESL and PGL), who confirmed BuLba`s requests but stated that their investigations found no evidence of dishonest play, and they had no claims against Mangekyou. BuLba`s accusations, Mangekyou concludes, were “a lie.”
This incident, initially sparked by BuLba`s public claims on a stream, casts a stark light on the vulnerabilities of professional players. From the crushing weight of financial insecurity leading to desperate choices, to the alleged psychological torment and professional sabotage from a coach, Mangekyou`s story is a potent reminder that the glitz and glamour of esports can often mask a darker, more challenging reality for those striving to compete at the highest level. It raises critical questions about player support, mental health, and accountability within the esports ecosystem.
