France Successfully Defend UFA Title

Kusanagi, a French player who mains Ryu, has emerged as the winner of the latest winner of the Ultimate Fighting Arena champion, ensuring once again that the trophy remains in France. 

He defeated EWC champion, Xiao Hai in the Grand Final after the latter was able to win 3-2 and force a reset.

With the win, Kusanagi is now the third player to qualify for Capcom Cup with Punk and MenaRD taking their places thanks to wins at Evo and Cream City Convergence respectively. 

Kusanagi was able to defend UFA and keep it on French turf following Mister Crimson's success last year where he defeated EndingWalker in the Grand Final to win UFA 2023. In his interview afterwards, he intimated that his father, who was a major influence in his life, was a Ryu main and it was one of the things that pushed him to use the character. 

Ryu isn't considered top tier by most, but Kusanagi will have people rethinking that as he has now won a major tournament with the Street Fighter protagonist.