Why We Love MkLeo:

Let’s face it—there’s a lot to love about MkLeo. First, the guy’s resilience is off the charts. One minute, you think you’re about to 3-stock him, and the next, you’re suddenly staring at the game over screen wondering where it all went wrong. MkLeo is the comeback king. Seriously, it’s like his game only really starts when he’s down a stock. And that’s when the magic happens: he flips the switch, and suddenly, his opponent is on the receiving end of a masterclass in Smash mechanics.

His mental game is just as strong as his technical one. MkLeo can lose a game and come back looking like he spent the break sipping iced tea, casually thinking about what he’s having for dinner, before completely dismantling his opponent’s strategy. That’s what sets him apart—nerves of steel. MkLeo’s like a superhero whose power is staying calm while his opponents are scrambling to figure out which move to throw next.

And let’s not forget his charm. For someone who could easily flex his dominance, MkLeo is surprisingly humble and approachable. He’s got the friendly, laid-back vibe of someone who could be your favorite gaming buddy—if, you know, your favorite gaming buddy also happens to destroy you every time you pick up a controller. When you see him at tournaments, there’s no arrogance, just a deep love for the game and respect for the community that’s helped him rise to the top.

Update on MkLeo’s Competitive Standing in 2024

At the end of 2023, Leonardo "MkLeo" López Pérez, once considered the undisputed top Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player, experienced a notable drop in his competitive standing. He ended the year ranked 11th on the LumiRank Top 100, marking his lowest position since the game's release. For a player who once dominated the scene with unmatched consistency and technical prowess, this drop was surprising to many in the community.

Fast forward to August 9, 2024, and MkLeo’s ranking saw an even more significant decline, dropping to 25th place on LumiRank. This continued drop reflects his challenges in maintaining his previous dominance as newer talents and meta shifts in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate have started to take center stage.

What Contributed to MkLeo’s Decline?

1. New Talent Emerging: The competitive scene for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has seen a surge in young, hungry players who have taken tournaments by storm. Players like Acola, Sparg0, and Onin have risen quickly, pushing even the most seasoned veterans, including MkLeo, to adapt.

2. Meta Shifts: The game’s meta has evolved since its release, with new strategies and character choices influencing the outcomes of major tournaments. While MkLeo's historically favored characters like Byleth and Joker have served him well in the past, the competitive viability of other characters has shifted, potentially requiring MkLeo to adapt his approach.

3. Increased Competition: The sheer number of high-level players continues to grow, making the competitive landscape fiercer. Many players who once struggled to keep up with MkLeo have now honed their skills, leading to more unpredictable tournament results.

4. Inactivity or Reduced Participation: It’s worth noting that player rankings can be influenced by tournament participation. If MkLeo has attended fewer events or had inconsistent results in major competitions, this could partially explain his drop in the rankings.

MkLeo’s Career So Far

Despite these recent shifts, MkLeo’s legacy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains undisputed. His ability to adapt to different character meta, his impeccable spacing and decision-making, and his consistent performance in international tournaments have earned him a revered place in Smash history.

Some of MkLeo’s most notable achievements include:

• EVO 2019 Champion (one of the largest and most prestigious fighting game tournaments in the world).

• Multiple-time Genesis Champion (a tournament series widely considered one of the most important in the Smash scene).

• Dominating the Panda Global Rankings for years, finishing as the top-ranked player several times.

Future Prospects

With MkLeo’s undeniable skill and track record of adapting to new challenges, fans and analysts alike are curious about how he will approach this new phase of his career. Could he mount a comeback to regain his position in the top 10? Or will he focus on refining his play in response to the next generation of competitors?

While his ranking has seen a significant dip in 2024, MkLeo is far from out of the fight. He remains a formidable competitor capable of turning things around in future tournaments. Fans of the Smash scene will be watching closely to see how the "King of Smash" adapts and whether he can rise back to the top.

In summary, while MkLeo's competitive rank has dropped from 11th at the end of 2023 to 25th in August 2024, he remains a key figure in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community. His journey from here will be one to watch as the competitive landscape continues to evolve.

Current Team: Luminosity Gaming

• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

• Ranked #1 2019-2022 (SSBU)

• Ranked #1 2018 (SSB4WiiU)

• Ranked #3 All-Time (SSB4WiiU)

• Evo champion (2019)

• Evo Japan champion (2018)

• 2× CEO champion (2018, 2019)

• 2× SSC champion (2018, 2019)

• 2x Smash Ultimate Summit champion (2019)

• 5× Genesis champion (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)

• Get On My Level champion (2018)

• MomoCon champion (2019)

• Ultimate Fighting Arena champion (2019)

• Frostbite champion (2020)

• Riptide champion (2021)

• Low Tide City champion (2021)

• Port Priority champion (2021)

• Mainstage champion (2021)

• Smash World Tour champion (2021)

• Smash Factor champion (2022)

• Ludwig Smash Invitational champion (2022)

We’re talking about Leonardo “MkLeo” Pérez, the undisputed king of competitive Smash Ultimate. If you’ve ever thought you were decent at Smash, MkLeo would kindly like to remind you that your “decent” is his “waking up in the morning and grabbing coffee.” From his home base in Mexico City to the world stage, MkLeo has consistently proven that when it comes to Smash, he’s in a league of his own. He doesn’t just win tournaments—he does it with a coolness that suggests he might actually be finishing a Netflix series between stocks.

Who is MkLeo?

Born on January 20, 2001, in Mexico City, MkLeo has been a Smash Bros. prodigy since his teenage years. While most of us were still figuring out how to beat our cousins at family get-togethers, MkLeo was already out there grinding, defeating the best players in Smash 4 and, later, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He’s been described as a "final boss"—the player you don’t want to face in grand finals unless you’ve got nerves of steel and a PhD in reading his game plan.

Oh, and if you’ve heard his name, you’ve probably also heard about his Joker—the character, not the villain (though honestly, both are terrifying). His Joker is so slick, it’s like watching a grandmaster at work, weaving through combos, dodging kill moves, and punishing opponents with precision. But MkLeo is more than just a one-character wonder. His secondary characters, like Byleth and Pyra/Mythra, are equally capable of giving his opponents nightmares. This guy doesn’t have mains; he has a whole roster of nightmares.