SonicFox Exits Mortal Kombat 1 Finals Amid Production Chaos

World-renowned fighting game champion Dominique ‘SonicFox’ McLean abruptly left the Mortal Kombat 1 Finals on September 28, 2025, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the event’s organization and production issues. SonicFox, an eight-time Evo champion and last year’s winner of the Mortal Kombat Finals, described the tournament as the “worst” they had ever participated in.

The Mortal Kombat 1 Pro Kompetition Finals, held in Mexico City, gathered elite players from around the world, concluding a competitive circuit that began in January. SonicFox had qualified for the Finals, leading the global standings for 2025. However, the event faced significant disruptions almost from the start, primarily due to adverse weather conditions and technical difficulties.

Competitors reported that heavy rains caused leaks in the venue, resulting in water dripping on commentators during live streams. One competitor noted, “There was actual debris falling on Ketchup yesterday. Oh, and the roof started leaking when it was raining outside.” Such conditions turned the gaming experience into a frustrating ordeal for both players and viewers.

Production problems compounded the venue’s issues. Viewers experienced disruptions in the live stream, including incorrect language tracks playing over commentators and stream overlays being mistakenly displayed. Some participants pointed out that problems with seeding led organizers to reset multiple brackets, delaying matches and aggravating the players involved.

The situation reached a critical point during a pivotal match between SonicFox and Kanimani. Mid-battle, production staff interrupted the game to resolve an audio issue. This unprecedented move halted the competition and forced the players to restart their set, severely impacting SonicFox’s performance. Ultimately, they finished in fifth place, far below expectations.

SonicFox took to social media to voice their frustrations, stating, “Bro they really stopped Kani and I mid-match to fix audio instead of waiting after the round. I’m actually so over this tournament.” They left the venue before receiving their medal, demonstrating their discontent with the organization of the event.

Commentator Evan Hashimoto echoed SonicFox’s sentiment, criticizing the interruption as a breach of competitive integrity. He lamented, “This is easily one of the worst events of all time. I am genuinely so sad for players and casters.”

As of now, the tournament organizers have not publicly addressed the backlash, leaving both participants and spectators seeking explanations. Ed Boon, the creator of Mortal Kombat, was present at the event but has not commented on the issues either in person or online.

This incident is not an isolated case in the esports world. Earlier in April 2025, technical difficulties led to the shutdown of streams during matches in the Valorant EMEA League, highlighting ongoing challenges in event organization and production quality.

The fallout from the Mortal Kombat 1 Finals raises important questions about the future of esports tournaments and the need for improved planning and execution to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all involved.