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A Legendary Rivalry Lights Up DreamHack Atlanta

DreamHack Atlanta 2025 delivered one of the most electric moments in fighting game esports this year, as William ‘Leffen’ Hjelte defeated Dominique ‘SonicFox’ McLean to win the 2XKO championship. The two legendary figures of the fighting game community (FGC) clashed in a thrilling showdown that highlighted the early competitive potential of Riot Games’ new 2v2 platform fighter.

The event, which carried a $5,000 prize pool, was part of Riot’s First Impact program, a global initiative supporting 22 community-led tournaments designed to jumpstart the 2XKO esports scene.

Leffen’s Path to Victory

Both Leffen and SonicFox were dominant throughout the tournament, cruising through the early brackets with commanding performances. The Upper Bracket matchup between the two set the tone for the weekend, with Leffen taking the set 3-1 to advance directly to the Grand Finals.

SonicFox, ever the competitor, bounced back in the Lower Bracket by defeating Jo’siah ‘Hikari’ Miller in a clean victory to earn a rematch. What followed was an incredible display of skill, strategy, and grit that had the Atlanta crowd roaring.

In the Grand Finals, SonicFox managed to pull off a wild comeback, even surviving with just 4 HP to reset the bracket with a 3-1 win. But in the end, it was Leffen who prevailed, edging out a close 3-2 victory in the reset to secure the title and $2,000 in prize money.

“Absolutely insane finals, had so much fun. GGs to Sonic and everyone else,” Leffen tweeted after the win. “Just won in 2XKO and all I wanna do is keep playing to keep getting better so I can play to my potential. Been since Melee since I felt this hunger.”

A New Era for the Fighting Game Community

Leffen’s win marks a major statement for the competitive 2XKO scene. Known for his success in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Guilty Gear Strive, the Swedish player seems fully committed to mastering Riot’s new fighter. Many fans are already calling this victory his “God Killer” return, a reference to his infamous Melee days when he regularly took down the top players in the world.

SonicFox, meanwhile, remains one of the most decorated FGC competitors in history, boasting multiple EVO titles across Mortal Kombat, Injustice, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Skullgirls. Despite the loss, they showed remarkable adaptation and creativity throughout the tournament, proving why they remain one of the best in the business.

After the event, SonicFox praised the 2XKO competitive environment but expressed curiosity about the game’s future balance updates. “The biggest thing I’m hoping for is an update on when the next balance changes for 2XKO are,” they said. “I’m excited to go home and study more 2XKO though! My next study is Duos.”

Leffen replied with a simple but telling response: “Same.”

2XKO’s Esports Future Looks Bright

With standout performances from both players, DreamHack Atlanta offered a glimpse into the future of 2XKO esports. Riot’s early support through its First Impact program, which has already hosted events like EVO France 2025 — is setting the stage for what could become one of the next big titles in the FGC.

Leffen currently mains Teemo and Yasuo, while SonicFox continues to experiment with various team combinations. With more patches, balance changes, and new champions expected soon, both players are poised to remain key figures in shaping the early meta.

As 2XKO continues to evolve, one thing is clear, the rivalry between Leffen and SonicFox is far from over, and fans are here for every match.