In a bombshell revelation that has sent significant ripples through the Dota 2 community, professional player Mark “Mangekyou” Kharlamov has come forward with a two-pronged disclosure. He has openly confessed to past involvement in match-fixing (colloquially known as “322”) driven by extreme financial distress and, concurrently, leveled serious allegations of psychological abuse, harassment, and a post-departure defamation campaign against his former coach, Kanishka Sam “BuLba” Soseil, during their time together at Shopify Rebellion.
The Weight of Desperation: Mangekyou`s 322 Confession
Kharlamov`s account paints a vivid picture of a player cornered by grim circumstances. Relocating to Poland, facing dwindling family funds, and an impending rent deadline, Mangekyou, despite his high rank in the mid-lane, found himself pressed into a stand-in role as a carry with a limited hero pool. It was then, he claims, that a casual acquaintance from a public game offered him $4,000 to participate in match-fixing.
Initially hesitant, Mangekyou states he agreed under the strict condition that bets would be placed on his team`s victory, assured that “bought teams” were in place to ensure their opponents would intentionally lose. However, one match went unexpectedly awry, leading to a significant loss for the bettors. Subsequently, Mangekyou recounts being coerced into intentionally losing a future match, threatened with debt to a shadowy “mafia” if he refused. He complied, citing his limited prowess as a carry at the time, but ultimately received none of the promised money. “Who would have thought that in such a story, you`d just get [scammed]?” he mused, highlighting the stark futility and inherent danger of his predicament.
Upon confessing this past transgression to BuLba, Mangekyou claims the coach`s initial reaction was surprisingly understanding, noting the lack of financial gain and the time elapsed. BuLba allegedly decided to retain Kharlamov, deeming him a talented player, though he reportedly expressed concern over the existence of any “proofs” such as transfer screenshots or prior admissions.
A Turbulent Tenure at Shopify Rebellion
Mangekyou’s time with Shopify Rebellion, spanning from September 2024 to February 2025, quickly devolved into a challenging environment, according to his statement. A crucial issue, he alleges, was the organization`s inability to secure a Canadian bootcamp visa for him, leaving him isolated from his team for three months while they trained together. His first in-person interaction with teammates occurred just a week before ESL One Bangkok.
Compounding this isolation was a perceived lack of personal space and constant scrutiny. Kharlamov describes a chaotic 30-square-meter room housing eleven individuals – including a psychologist, contract manager, videographer, and analyst – leading to perpetual commotion and intrusive vlogging. He alleges that BuLba exerted control over his personal actions, instructing him to smile, attend breakfasts, and refrain from using his phone during meals, escalating the psychological pressure.
Allegations of Abuse: From Smashed Monitors to Public Humiliation
The intensity, Mangekyou asserts, reached a breaking point during tournaments. Following a 2-0 defeat against Falcons at ESL One Bangkok, and despite a glimmer of hope from a draw with Team Spirit, BuLba allegedly forced him into further scrims. Kharlamov specifically recalled being forced to play Visage in an unfavorable game, against his strategic recommendation for Lycan or Broodmother.
After the subsequent loss, Mangekyou describes a dramatic scene: BuLba reportedly approached him, struck his ESL monitor, causing it to shut down, and then proceeded to berate him for 30 minutes in front of the entire team, praising Shopify Rebellion while demeaning Mangekyou. “At that moment, I realized this wasn`t my team,” he stated, reflecting on the kind of “constructive criticism” that often dismantles rather than builds.
The alleged abuse, Mangekyou claims, continued. During winter qualifiers, despite the team`s initial “positive” atmosphere leading to a qualification, Mangekyou reported becoming the sole target of criticism, with his errors being dissected while others` went unnoticed. A minor disagreement with teammate Timado reportedly escalated when BuLba intervened, allegedly resorting to personal insults, calling Mangekyou a “son of a bitch,” accusing him of having a “big ego,” and, notably, re-introducing the “322” accusation despite previously downplaying it.
At FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade 2025, where Shopify Rebellion struggled, Mangekyou`s account details further alleged torment. After a particularly difficult game where he again says he was forced into an unsuitable hero pick, BuLba reportedly spent two hours verbally attacking him. In a particularly alarming incident, BuLba allegedly snatched Mangekyou`s phone and threatened to throw it out a window, leading Mangekyou to tears. A psychologist reportedly advised him to “forget it and win tomorrow—because you need it more than the organization,” a stark commentary on the priorities at play.
The Post-Departure Purge: BuLba`s Alleged Defamation Campaign
Following the FISSURE PLAYGROUND tournament and the continuous pressure, Mangekyou decided to leave Shopify Rebellion, feeling he was being scapegoated for the team`s poor performance. He noted that the team`s results did not improve after his departure, maintaining their “top-2 from the bottom” standing at 7-8th at ESL One Bangkok 2024 and 15-16th at FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade 2025.
However, the story did not end there. Mangekyou claims that BuLba began a campaign to defame him, spamming managers and tournament operators with false accusations that Mangekyou had engaged in match-fixing during his time with Shopify Rebellion at ESL One Bangkok and FISSURE. When Mangekyou attempted to play at PGL4 with another team, BuLba allegedly “foamed at the mouth” attempting to secure a ban, but PGL reportedly found no grounds for action.
Tournament organizers, including ESL and PGL, conducted investigations into BuLba`s claims. Mangekyou asserts that both organizations confirmed BuLba had indeed sought his ban for 322 but ultimately found no evidence of his alleged dishonest play. “This means everything BuLba said was a lie,” Mangekyou concluded, presenting a direct challenge to the coach`s public statements. BuLba`s initial public accusation regarding Mangekyou`s 322 involvement came on September 7th during a stream by Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, which appears to have prompted Mangekyou`s detailed response.
Beyond the Battle Pass: Unpacking Esports Culture
This unfolding narrative highlights critical issues within competitive esports: the immense pressure on young players, the ethical boundaries of coaching, and the vital role of organizational support for player well-being. While Mangekyou`s confession about past match-fixing is a serious matter, his subsequent allegations paint a disturbing picture of an environment where a player`s past mistakes were allegedly weaponized against him, and where psychological distress was reportedly dismissed or even exacerbated by those in positions of authority.
As the esports industry continues its rapid growth, such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for robust player protection protocols, transparent team management, and clear accountability structures to ensure both competitive integrity and the mental health of its athletes. The community now awaits further developments and responses from the involved parties, hoping for clarity and a commitment to fostering a healthier competitive landscape.