Betting on Esports and Pro Gaming

It is a general fact that Canadian star Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher is the best player when it comes to the Age of Empires, spanning his dominance across Age of Empires I, Age of Empires II, and even Age of Empires IV. At the age of 25, he continues to dominate and carries the flag of GamerLegion with his success so far.

So when he lost to Gan “Yo” Yangfan in the final of the Medieval Masters last Sunday, fans were left with more questions than praises for the Chinese star. After all, it is super rare for the Canadian star to even lose a single tournament at this point in time. For many players, it doesn’t make that much sense, but then we all know that nothing is impossible in the esports world.

Considered to be the best AoE player out there, Hera losing this Medieval Masters to Yo was more of a change of scenery for fans. It was rare air, and it cannot be denied that there are a lot of expectations when it comes to the Canadian’s dominance in the game and how it even happened at this point.

How Did Hera Lose?

Both Hera and Yo were invited into the Medieval Masters, and both even finished second in their respective Group Stages. Both players also took down top seeds in ACCM and MbL in the quarterfinals before Hera took down another top seed in Liereyy. So when they met in the final, it was expected that Hera would be the one setting the tone and defining the success for his games once more.

Yo stole the first game in Enclosed, making quick work of Hera’s tactics even when he played his favorite Hindustanis. Hera would then surge back to take a 2-1 lead after winning in Socotra and Fortress using the Inca and Bohemians against Yo’s Khitans and Bengalis. By that time, all the momentum had shifted into Hera’s favor once more.

That’s when Yo played the best of his cards – using the Armenians, Teutons, and the Lithuanians in the final three maps. Hera was usually the one dictating the pace in the matches, but it was Yo who had full control and put pressure on the Canadian star for most of the game.

So What Now?

Well, the loss for Hera was quite a scene-defining finish. It really felt that Hera was invincible for some time now, as he could not even lose to the best players in the game. Now that there’s a new strong competition for the Canadian star, there’s a sense of balance to look out for in the Age of Empires scene moving forward.

For what it is worth, Hera is still the best in the Age of Empires scene, no doubt. But having competition finally kicks this game back into the influential space as it means that there’s a lot of excitement to look forward to. This just means that the expectations are higher than ever, and now Yo would become a promising performer to watch as well.

Imagine – an Asian star rising in AoE dominance to challenge the best of the best. Now we have a promising set of tournaments to look forward to – with these two stars at the helm and making their presence felt now more than ever.

Finally, a challenge for Hera to expect in the coming tournaments.

Danil “Dendi” Ishutin is no stranger to League of Legends. Long before he cemented his place in Dota 2 history, he had already logged an estimated 2,000 matches on the Summoner’s Rift. He even pursued the top of the ranked ladder, reaching the top 40 before pausing to focus on preparing for The International. This isn’t a newcomer’s curiosity – Dendi was serious about testing League at the highest levels.

On stream, Dendi described his experience candidly. He likened the games to comparing chess to checkers, saying League felt strategically restricted. Though he appreciated how LoL had evolved over its fifteen‑year lifespan, he ultimately found Dota 2 to be deeper and more engaging. His view remains firm: he believes the field for outplay in Dota is “insanely huge” compared to League’s.

Still, Dendi has recently made moves suggesting a real, albeit temporary, shift. After failing a personal challenge to gain 1,000 MMR in Dota over ten Twitch streams, he uninstalled the game. As part of the same challenge, he committed to diving back into League of Legends. He hasn’t played since 2011, but he still remembers the fundamentals and wanted to embrace a new challenge.

A Potential Move?

One might wonder if this is simply a break or the beginning of a full transition. Dendi has made clear via multiple interviews and streams that he misses Dota. He has not ruled out playing League seriously but frames his time in LoL as part of his exploration for a refreshing test of skill and excitement . Even as he returns to League, the affection for Dota remains firmly rooted.

The underlying question remains: Does Dendi genuinely have what it takes to reach the top of League’s ranked system? He has consistently shown that he is driven by challenges. His ambition to reach top 1,000, or even top 40, on the LoL ladder demonstrates that this is more than just a casual flex.

Yet we have to consider the differences between the two games. League generally offers a narrower strategic landscape, while Dota presents vastly more variables and outplay opportunities. That contrast – chess versus checkers – is central to Dendi’s critique .

His next moves will tell us more. If he pours hours into climbing the LoL ladder, adapting to evolving metas, and perhaps even climbing toward pro‑level amateur play, then this challenge may transcend mere entertainment. He could emerge as one of the few players to almost bridge the gap between two of the biggest MOBAs.

It would not just be a novelty – it would be a statement about his mindset as a competitor.

What’s Attracting Dendi?

For now, this looks like a side quest rather than a full defection. Dendi is testing his skills, taking a break from the familiar grind, and challenging himself in a new environment. He will almost certainly return to Dota – but when he does, it may be with renewed perspective, fresh ideas, and perhaps even new strategies inspired by his time in League.

To truly switch, Dendi would have to commit heavy time and effort toward LoL climbing, content creation in the LoL space, or joining a League‑focused team. He hasn’t indicated such a path yet. Instead, this seems to be an exploration of skill, fun, and self‑renewal.

But historical pattern suggests that his legacy will remain rooted in Dota 2 – though with one eye keenly observing Summoner’s Rift.

Winning the championship once is a hard thing to do. But when you’re OpTic Texas playing in the Call of Duty League Championships, the odds seem to dip a little in your favor in achieving history. That is what the 2024 and 2025 champions have done as they defeated the Vancouver Surge in a massive showdown to conclude the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 season.

No one would have had this on their cards considering how hard it has been for a team to repeat in the CDL. And yet, OpTic has proven that the odds doesn’t always have to be in their favor to begin with before they can try to repeat as champions and show that they are still the best team in the league.

Now that the victory on domestic stage is secured, OpTic now shifts its focus on the global stage – where they will battle in Riyadh for the Esports World Cup 2025 – which will also be the final tournament running for the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 before another one will begin with the next installment of the game.

A Remarkable Feat

Fans at Kitchener, Ontario hoped for a fantastic finish in the tournament, and so they saw one to remember. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were sky-high, and both teams came ready for war. OpTic struck first, opening the series with a dominant 250-151 win on Hacienda Hardpoint.

Vancouver Surge, unfazed, answered back by taking the second map in flawless fashion with a 6-0 sweep on Dealership Search & Destroy. The two teams traded blows through the next few rounds, but when the series reached its crucial final stretch, OpTic rose to the occasion.

After a tightly contested Control map that ended 3-2 in their favor and a convincing 6-2 win on Hacienda Search & Destroy, they closed out the championship with a 250-215 win on Rewind Hardpoint.

This win didn’t just earn OpTic another trophy—it reshaped the CDL landscape. In a league known for parity and surprise upsets, no team had ever successfully repeated as champions until now. With this historic back-to-back, OpTic has cemented itself as the defining franchise of the modern CDL era.

Dominance Continues

The individual performances throughout the tournament were equally impressive. Mercules, who entered the season as a promising talent, exploded onto the main stage with an MVP-worthy showing that captivated the fanbase.

Meanwhile, Shotzzy, already a household name, further solidified his legacy by becoming the youngest player to win three world championships across both Halo and Call of Duty. Behind the scenes, legendary former player and now coach Damon “Karma” Barlow added yet another accolade to his resume, securing his fifth world title—two as a coach and three from his playing days.

OpTic's Grand Final also broke viewership records. Over 353,000 fans tuned in live, making it the most-watched CDL event of all time. For a franchise with one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in esports, it was a moment of pride and affirmation.

For OpTic, it’s not just about defending their title. It’s about dominating every stage they step on, proving that excellence isn’t seasonal—it’s who they are. In an esports world filled with unpredictability, one thing is certain: OpTic Texas isn’t just winning games. They’re making history, and this is the best way they can do it – to beat the odds and win it all.