The MongolZ shock Heroic as stand-in controlez stars on IEM Chengdu debut
The MongolZ kicked off their IEM Chengdu 2025 campaign with a statement 2-1 victory over Heroic, overturning an early 10-13 loss on Overpass with dominant wins on Inferno (13-6) and Ancient (13-5).
The spotlight fell on 28-year-old stand-in Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal, who defied expectations to lead the Mongolian side into the upper-bracket semi-final. Originally seen as a short-term replacement for benched star Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold, controlez delivered a composed, high-impact debut that immediately silenced doubts about his readiness for Tier-1 play.
Match overview: from slow start to dominant finish
Heroic struck first on Overpass, grinding out a 13-10 win and briefly quelling talk that The MongolZ would dominate despite their roster change. But from that point on, the Mongolian squad completely flipped the momentum.
Inferno – The MongolZ 13–6 Heroic
The MongolZ’s CT side was a showcase of discipline and precision, with controlez posting a 1.89 rating and triple-digit ADR. His lockdown defense repeatedly denied Heroic’s attempts to gain map control.
Ancient – The MongolZ 13–5 Heroic
With the series on the line, Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch took charge on the AWP, consistently opening rounds and holding critical sites. Heroic’s offense collapsed under the pressure, unable to adapt to The MongolZ’s aggression and tempo.
Four out of five MongolZ players finished the series with ratings above 1.10, while no Heroic member managed to do so across the final two maps. Swedish rifler Simon “yxngstxr” Boije ended the match with a 0.63 rating, symbolizing Heroic’s ongoing struggles to find reliable star power.
controlez: from low-key pick-up to breakout performer
Heading into Chengdu, expectations for controlez were modest. At 28, he was viewed as a solid regional player rather than a breakout prospect. After spending extended periods without a team, his addition to The MongolZ appeared to be a stopgap solution.
His arrival followed the benching of Senzu, ending two years of roster stability. The organization emphasized that controlez’s experience made him a safe short-term option while the team reassessed its long-term plans. His performance in Chengdu, however, may change that perception entirely. Despite entering the tournament with lower statistical averages than Senzu, controlez looked fully integrated into Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren’s system, balancing composure and impact in key rounds.
Heroic’s rebuild hits another bump
For Heroic, this loss continues a turbulent year marked by roster and staff changes. The team recently appointed Tobias “TOBIZ” Theo as head coach to spearhead a rebuild after losing key members earlier in the season. They also promoted young AWPer Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitimbay from Spirit’s academy system. While Alkaren expressed excitement about joining Heroic, he acknowledged that adapting to English communication and Tier-1 pace would take time.
Star rifler yxngstxr admitted earlier this year that 2025 has been one of constant adjustment, with the team still learning to “wing it” through structural changes. That uncertainty showed again in Chengdu, as Heroic’s coordination broke down once their opening strategies failed. Despite boasting individual firepower, the roster looked disconnected when forced to adapt mid-series.
Senzu benching and the road to Chengdu
The victory comes just two weeks after one of the biggest roster shocks of the CS2 season — the benching of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold, the team’s 19-year-old star rifler. The move marked The MongolZ’s first lineup change in over two years and arrived just 43 days before the start of the StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 3.
According to those close to the team, Senzu’s removal stemmed largely from burnout, with both player and organization agreeing that a temporary break was necessary. That decision left The MongolZ scrambling to find a capable stand-in during an intense competitive stretch, leading to controlez’s recruitment.
His success in Chengdu now reframes that narrative: what began as a short-term solution might evolve into a stable arrangement for the rest of the season.
From underdogs to world champions
Despite internal turbulence, 2025 remains a landmark year for The MongolZ. The team reached the BLAST.tv Austin Major Grand Final, briefly held the #1 spot in the HLTV world ranking, and captured the Esports World Cup 2025 title after eliminating Team Vitality in Riyadh.
Their rise has turned them from regional dark horses into global contenders, capable of defeating established Tier-1 teams on LAN. The win over Heroic at IEM Chengdu reinforces that transformation — this is no longer a Cinderella story but a continuation of dominance from a team that expects to win.
As Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold said after their EWC triumph, “This is just the beginning.”
The human side: 910’s story and Mongolian resilience
Behind the statistics lies a story of grit and perseverance. The team’s AWP player, 910, grew up in Darkhan, far from Ulaanbaatar, and would often take long train rides to compete in LAN events, sometimes without enough money for food or accommodation. That dedication has now carried him — and the Mongolian CS2 scene — to the global stage.
Performances like his on Ancient embody the determination that defines The MongolZ: a lineup built on players who fought for every opportunity and are now making the most of it under the world’s brightest lights.
Looking ahead
The MongolZ now advance to the upper-bracket semi-final at IEM Chengdu 2025, where they are set to face the winner of NAVI vs Astralis. Heroic, meanwhile, drop to the lower bracket and must fight to stay alive in a tournament that’s quickly slipping away from them.
If controlez can maintain anything close to his Chengdu debut form, The MongolZ’s supposed “firepower gap” without Senzu might become irrelevant — and their run toward another international title could be just beginning.
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