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The MongolZ Make a Surprise Roster Change

The Mongolian Counter-Strike 2 powerhouse, The MongolZ, has confirmed that Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal will stand in for the team at IEM Chengdu 2025, following the unexpected benching of star player Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold.

The announcement was made on October 23, just days after Senzu’s removal from the starting lineup, marking The MongolZ’s first roster change in more than two years. With IEM Chengdu set to kick off on November 3–9, the team made it clear that there wasn’t enough time to promote and evaluate players from its academy roster.

“Due to insufficient time to fully assess the academy team’s players, the decision was made to field an experienced player, taking into account the input of the main team’s players,” The MongolZ stated on social media.

Why Controlez? A Veteran Return to Familiar Ground

Controlez’s return to The MongolZ isn’t his first rodeo. The 28-year-old veteran previously represented the organisation in 2017, competing alongside current coach Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat. He also briefly played with team captain Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren in 2020, when both were part of Checkmate.

Before rejoining The MongolZ, controlez was part of Chinggis Warriors, where he posted a 1.06 rating since joining in late 2024. Interestingly, that team also underwent roster changes recently, with Ariunjargal “ariucle” Yadam moving to the bench to make room for Zolbayar “tikuak” Chimedtseren, a former MongolZ academy player.

While fans have mixed feelings about the decision, many acknowledge that controlez’s experience could help stabilise the squad in one of its most crucial tournaments of the year.

Community Reacts: “Senzu Died for Who?”

As expected, the Counter-Strike community had plenty to say about the sudden lineup shift. The MongolZ’s announcement quickly went viral, gathering hundreds of thousands of views across social media.

Some fans welcomed controlez’s comeback, praising his maturity and leadership, while others expressed disbelief over Senzu’s benching. Comments ranged from humour to heartfelt concern, with one fan posting, “Senzu died for whoooo???”, echoing the shock felt by many.

Another joked, “Controlez to control every aspect of the Major,” while others simply reacted with disbelief at his age, realising he’s nearly a decade older than some of his teammates.

What’s Next for The MongolZ

The MongolZ have had an impressive 2025 so far, cementing themselves as one of the top CS2 teams globally. They became the first Mongolian team to top Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS) and took home the Esports World Cup trophy earlier this year.

However, they’ve also faced setbacks, narrowly missing playoff qualification at ESL Pro League Season 22, and finishing second at BLAST Bounty Season 2, FISSURE Playground 2, and the BLAST.tv Austin Major.

Now, all eyes are on their IEM Chengdu campaign, where they’ll open the group stage against HEROIC in a best-of-three matchup on November 3. Fans are eager to see whether controlez can fill the gap left by Senzu and keep The MongolZ’s momentum alive.

A High-Stakes Moment for Mongolian CS2

The MongolZ’s decision to lean on experience rather than youth reflects the high stakes of international Counter-Strike. With limited time before IEM Chengdu, the move to bring controlez back feels like a calculated gamble — one that could either reignite their chemistry or test their adaptability under pressure.

Whether controlez’s veteran instincts can steady the team’s nerves remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: this storyline has turned IEM Chengdu into must-watch esports drama.