S8UL enters the MLBB competitive scene by signing former BloodThirstyKings lineup, marking a significant milestone as the first Indian organization with a top international MLBB team.
Indian Esports Organization Makes Strategic Move into Mobile Legends
S8UL Esports has acquired the North American Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) team previously known as BloodThirstyKings (BTK). The acquisition was announced on May 16, 2025, in Mumbai. As a result, S8UL becomes the first Indian organization to sign a high-tier international MLBB roster before the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025.
The newly acquired roster includes six accomplished players:
- Michael "MobaZane" Cosgun
- Ian "FwydChickn" Hohl
- Jang "Seong-hun" Hoon
- Ziameth-Jei "ZIA" Caluya
- Vo "Shark" Trung
- Carlos "Bestplayer1" Ortega Vega
Team Background and Achievements
BTK was established in 2020 and gained international recognition after finishing third at the MLBB M3 World Championship. During this tournament, they notably defeated Blacklist International from the Philippines and earned $80,000 (approximately INR 68.4 lakh). Since then, the team has consistently performed well in North America's MLBB ecosystem.
Recently, the team qualified for the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at the upcoming EWC 2025. They secured their spot through a dominant performance in the North America Challenger Tournament (NACT) Spring Season, where they defeated Area 77 with a 4-2 score in the Grand Finals.
Leadership Perspectives
Animesh Agarwal, also known as 8Bit Thug and Co-founder/CEO of S8UL, stated: "We're committing to MLBB in a big way — becoming a partnered organization and aligning closely with the S8UL vision, with the legendary Michael 'MobaZane' Cosgun leading the charge. Additionally, as a mobile-first org, MLBB holds a special place for us."
The team captain, MobaZane, expressed his enthusiasm: "Joining S8UL feels like the beginning of something bigger than just competition. It's about aligning with an organization that understands not just the game, but the grind, the setbacks, and the stories that build champions."
MLBB's Global Significance
According to Esports Charts, MLBB is currently the world's most popular esports game in 2025, with peak viewership reaching 2.7 million. Furthermore, the M6 World Championship last year recorded an impressive peak viewership of 4.13 million and maintained an average viewership of 709,000 across its 120-hour broadcast.
At EWC 2025, 16 top MLBB teams will compete for a $3,000,000 prize pool (approximately INR 25.6 crore). The tournament format includes double elimination group stages and best-of-5 knockout rounds, culminating in a best-of-7 grand final.
S8UL's Growing Presence at EWC 2025
This MLBB roster represents S8UL's seventh announced lineup for EWC 2025. The organization now has teams competing in:
- Apex Legends
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Chess
- EAFC25
- Mobile Legends Bang Bang
- Starcraft II
- Tekken 8
With this strategic acquisition, S8UL continues to strengthen its position in global esports while bringing experienced talent to its expanding roster of competitive teams.
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