MenaRD Challenges Daigo To First To 10 Bout In Street Fighter 6

MenaRD, a champion in every respect of the word, has challenged a legend within the scene, Daigo Umehara to a first-to-10 match that he hopes will show his growth as a player. 

In a statement he put out on his social media, Mena published a message in both Japanese and English stating that he has always looked up to Daigo as a player and would love to put his skills to the test against a great veteran in the game. 

While Daigo is not nearly as dominant as he used to be, he still holds great respect as both a competitor and a person within the scene and for many is one of the greatest players to ever grace the FGC. 

Mena said in his message:

Hello,

I hope you have been well. I want to confess that I firmly believe you are the best ever at preparing for long sets in Street Fighter. Your incredible record has proven just how impossibly strong you become when you prepare for a player.

It would be the greatest honor of my career if I had the opportunity to fight you in a first to 10. Since I was young, I have dedicated myself to preparation, and I wonder how far we could take it if we decided to focus on a single set between us for months.

It doesn’t have to be this year or anytime soon, but as someone who was inspired to dedicate my life to Street Fighter because of what you have done, I ask you to give me the chance to elevate the game alongside you.

I know this is a big request, to ask for so much of your time, but I promise that I would make it the toughest challenge I possibly can.

I will be ready whenever you deem it appropriate. Thank you for reading this.

To Daigo Umehara.

Mena and Daigo have faced each other on occasion in tournaments with Mena taking most of the victories and Daigo's only win coming in 2019 which was a year when Mena struggled a bit. The two have only faced each other once in Street Fighter 6, meeting during the Evo 2023 tournament where Mena was victorious again. 

However, the two haven't played a long set and those are usually considered the measure of who is perhaps the better competitor. 

Daigo seems to be on board with it as he mentioned it on his stream and will be willing to do it. It is unknown when the date will be, but it should be a lot of fun.