The Doubt Has Lit A Fire": Daigo Fires Back Ahead of MenaRD Showdown

Daigo has once again reminded everyone why he is considered one of the GOATs of the FGC. The legendary player and multiple Evo winner has hit back at critics who say he has no shot against MenaRD in the highly anticipated upcoming exhibition match.

Daigo Believes He Can Win

In a video released on Daigo's team, REJECT's, YouTube channel, Daigo expressed relief that the tradition of players still enjoying the game as a means of entertainment and personal competition is still alive and well. He reasoned that with prize pools growing ever higher, players were less likely to simply see the game as just that— a game.

Daigo explained that he had always kicked against the notion of 'expecting the expected' and firmly believes that he can defeat Mena even though the two of them are in completely different places in their careers. While Mena is at the pinnacle with back-to-back Evo Japan wins and an Evo Vegas championship in between, Daigo is on the wane, having not made top 3 in any tier 1 tournament since the release of Street Fighter 6.

To Daigo, this doesn't mean much. According to him, the more doubt there is from outside, the more he believes he can win, and this led him to declare that he thinks that will be the outcome this time, and he would welcome it. In a particularly memorable quote, he said, "You guys don't realize how much of a fire you've lit with your lack of faith."

Daigo Changing Minds?

When the exhibition was first announced, critics pooh poohed it, saying that it was a waste of time considering the competitive history between the two players. Even recently, fighting game streamer Jiyuna, who has always claimed that he is a Daigo fanboy, said in a post on X, "Daigo literally inspired countless people and led the FGC to where we are today. His 30+ year legacy being concluded by getting embarrassed 10-3 on stage in a game he's never performed well at, to a player he has no connection to, does nothing for the community.

"This match never should have happened, but the moment Mena called him out in front of 10,000+ people, he couldn't say no."

However, with the date approaching and Daigo's promotional videos making the rounds, there seems to be a slow turning of the tide. An overwhelming majority will still side with Mena as the results are hard to ignore, but there is a growing sense that if there is anyone who can make the impossible happen, it's Daigo.