Look Sports Media – The competitive fighting game landscape is buzzing with anticipation as American esports powerhouse M80 officially announced the signing of Josiah "Hikari" Miller, a veritable titan of the FGC, to spearhead their efforts in the burgeoning 2XKO scene for the forthcoming 2026 season. This monumental acquisition sends a clear signal about M80’s ambitions and the rapidly escalating interest in Riot Games’ upcoming title.
Renowned across the globe, Hikari has long been celebrated as one of Dragon Ball FighterZ’s most dominant figures. His illustrious trophy cabinet boasts an impressive collection, including back-to-back Evolution Championship Series (EVO) titles in 2023 and 2025 (the latter secured in France), complemented by consecutive World Tour championships in 2024 and 2025. Such a decorated career firmly establishes him as one of the genre’s all-time greats.
This strategic pivot sees Hikari transition his formidable talents towards Riot Games’ highly anticipated League of Legends-inspired fighting game, 2XKO. Miller isn’t a newcomer to 2XKO, having already immersed himself in the title’s nascent competitive circuit since April, kicking off his journey at the TNS Alpha Lab 2 tournament. His early prowess is undeniable, highlighted by a recent triumph at the IB Games First Impact #2 event, where he bested fellow American contender Lenwood "INZEM" Arnold. Furthermore, Hikari demonstrated consistent top-tier performance with third-place finishes at both the FlyQuest 2XKO Christmas Clash and DreamHack Atlanta 2025. His podium finish at DreamHack Atlanta was particularly notable, given the formidable lineup that saw Super Smash Bros Melee legend William "Leffen" Hjelte emerge victorious over the formidable SonicFox in a thrilling grand final.
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M80’s acquisition of Hikari is a significant statement, especially as other major organizations are also making strategic moves in the 2XKO space; notably, FlyQuest recently secured the talents of eight-time EVO champion Dominique "SonicFox" Mclean for the same title. This signing not only solidifies M80’s commitment to 2XKO but also signals their emphatic re-entry into the fighting game community. The organization, already a prominent force in Counter-Strike 2, Rainbow Six Siege X, and Rocket League, now adds 2XKO as its fourth active competitive title. This isn’t M80’s first foray into the FGC; they previously ventured into the scene in 2023, enlisting British Street Fighter professional Samuel "EndingWalker" Arm, who notably secured a second-place finish at the Street Fighter 6 tournament during Ultimate Fighting Arena 2023 in Paris.
Looking ahead to 2026, Riot Games has unveiled ambitious plans for 2XKO’s competitive ecosystem, promising substantial investment to cultivate a thriving scene. The developer is collaborating closely with established FGC tournament organizers to orchestrate a global circuit comprising 20 Riot-sanctioned 2XKO tournaments throughout the year. This comprehensive 2026 Competitive Series will be structured around five major LAN events and fifteen regional Challenger tournaments. The competitive calendar will align with five in-game seasons, each introducing a new champion alongside three Challenger events and a culminating Major. While Challenger events will foster regional talent, the Majors represent the pinnacle of competition – large-scale LAN spectacles where top professionals like Hikari will undoubtedly vie for supremacy. To bolster these events and their prize pools, Riot is launching the "Frame Perfect" line of in-game skins for 2XKO, with a significant portion of the proceeds directly supporting tournament organizers. This innovative funding model underscores Riot’s long-term vision for a sustainable and exciting 2XKO esports future.
With a proven champion like Hikari now under their banner and Riot Games laying robust foundations for competitive play, M80 is poised to make a formidable impact as 2XKO prepares to unleash its full competitive potential in 2026.
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