PunkDaGod and MenaRD - Capcom Cup 2025

Sotirios Poutachidis
Mar 5
6 min read

Key Points

- Punk (Victor Woodley) and MenaRD (Saul Leonardo Mena II) are top Street Fighter players competing in Capcom Cup 11, starting today, March 5, 2025, in Tokyo.

- Punk, an American, won EVO 2024 and finished second at Capcom Cup 2019; MenaRD, from the Dominican Republic, is a two-time Capcom Cup champion (2017, 2023) and won EVO Japan 2024.

- The tournament features 48 players, a $1,000,000 prize, and runs until March 9, with group stages today and finals on March 8.

- Both players are expected to perform strongly, with potential high-stakes matchups; current results are unfolding as the event begins.

Introduction

Welcome to our coverage of Capcom Cup 11, the prestigious Street Fighter tournament kicking off today in Tokyo, Japan. Among the 48 elite players, Punk and Menard stand out as formidable contenders, each bringing a rich history of success to the stage. Let’s dive into who they are, their recent achievements, and what we can expect from this exciting event.

Player Profiles

**Punk (Victor Woodley)**:

- Hailing from the United States and currently with FlyQuest, Punk is a veteran known for his strategic gameplay. His notable achievements include winning EVO 2024 for Street Fighter 6 and finishing second at Capcom Cup 2019.

**MenaRD (Saul Leonardo Mena II)**:

- Representing the Dominican Republic and backed by Red Bull eSports, MenaRD is a legend in the scene, having won Capcom Cup in 2017 and 2023, and recently triumphing at EVO Japan 2024 for Street Fighter 6.

Recent Performances

Both players have been in top form leading into Capcom Cup 11:

- Punk’s victory at EVO 2024 showcases his dominance, while his consistent performances in the Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024 highlight his readiness.

- MenaRD’s win at CEO 2023 for Street Fighter 6 and strong showings in various tournaments underline his continued excellence.

Tournament Details

Capcom Cup 11, running from March 5 to 9, 2025, is a critical event with a $1,000,000 prize pool. The format includes:

- Group stages from March 5 to 7, with eight groups of six players each in a round-robin format.

- Finals on March 8, featuring a double-elimination bracket for the top 16 players.

Given today’s start, live results are beginning to emerge, and both Punk and MenaRD are set to compete in their respective groups.

Expectations

With their proven track records, fans can expect intense battles from both. Punk’s adaptability and MenaRD’s experience under pressure make them strong contenders for the title. Potential matchups between them could be a highlight, given their competitive histories.

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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Punk, MenaRD, and Capcom Cup 11

As the Capcom Cup 11 commences on March 5, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan, the global Street Fighter community turns its attention to two standout players: Punk (Victor Woodley) and MenaRD (Saul Leonardo Mena II). This tournament, the culmination of the 2024 Capcom Pro Tour, features 48 players vying for a $1,000,000 prize, and both Punk and MenaRD are poised to make significant impacts. Below, we delve into their backgrounds, recent performances, the tournament structure, and expectations, providing a comprehensive overview for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Player Backgrounds and Achievements

**Punk (Victor Woodley)**:

- **Nationality and Team**: American, currently with FlyQuest.

- **Career Highlights**: Punk has established himself as one of the most successful players in modern Street Fighter. His notable achievements include winning EVO 2024 for Street Fighter 6, a variety of Capcom Pro Tour premier events, and finishing second at Capcom Cup 2019, where he was defeated by iDom. He also won the 2017 ELEAGUE Street Fighter V Invitational, showcasing his early dominance [Punk - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Punk).

- **Playstyle**: Known for optimal spacing and superior whiff punishing, Punk’s adaptability across characters like Cammy makes him a versatile threat.

**MenaRD (Saul Leonardo Mena II)**:

- **Nationality and Team**: From the Dominican Republic, currently with Red Bull eSports.

- **Career Highlights**: MenaRD is a two-time Capcom Cup champion, securing victories in 2017 and 2023, making him the first player to achieve this feat. He also won EVO Japan 2024 for Street Fighter 6, reinforcing his status as a top competitor. His journey began gaining attention during the 2017 Capcom Pro Tour, where he excelled in the Latin American scene [MenaRD - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/MenaRD).

- **Playstyle and Impact**: Known for his composure under pressure, MenaRD’s use of characters like Luke and Blanka has been pivotal in his tournament wins, and he has invested in his local fighting game community, enhancing the Dominican Republic’s presence in esports.

Recent Performances Leading to Capcom Cup 11

Both players have demonstrated strong form in recent tournaments, setting the stage for their performances at Capcom Cup 11.

- **Punk’s Recent Results**:

- Won EVO 2024, a significant achievement that underscores his current dominance in Street Fighter 6 [Evo 2023 Top 6 Results - Street Fighter 6](https://www.evo.gg/news/evo-2023-top-6-results-street-fighter-6).

- Participated in Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024, maintaining consistent high-level play, which included matches against top players like NuckleDu and DualKevin [Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024 early results, stream ft. Punk, MenaRD, NuckleDu, DualKevin, JB, Lexx, Caba, OilKing, NL, Xian, DCQ, Sayff and more](https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2024/oct/16/street-fighter-league-us-results/).

- His performance at Gamers8 2023 also highlighted his competitive edge, finishing among the top in a 32-person invitational [Gamers8 2023 Street Fighter 6 results](https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2023/aug/09/gamers8-2023-sf6-results/).

- **MenaRD’s Recent Results**:

- Won CEO 2023 for Street Fighter 6, using a Blanka counterpick against Nephew’s Juri, marking him as a dominant force early in the game’s competitive scene [Still King: MenaRD wins CEO SF6 with Blanka counterpick | esports.gg](https://esports.gg/news/street-fighter-6/still-king-menard-wins-ceo-sf6-with-blanka-counterpick/).

- Triumphed at EVO Japan 2024, further solidifying his reputation as a top player in Street Fighter 6.

- His participation in Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024 also showed his ability to compete against a strong North American roster, adding to his momentum [Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024 early results, stream ft. Punk, MenaRD, NuckleDu, DualKevin, JB, Lexx, Caba, OilKing, NL, Xian, DCQ, Sayff and more](https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2024/oct/16/street-fighter-league-us-results/).

Tournament Structure and Significance

Capcom Cup 11, held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, is a landmark event with a prize pool of $1,282,000 USD, with $1,000,000 going to the winner. The tournament format is as follows:

| Stage | Dates | Format |

|----------------|----------------|-------------------------------------|

| Group Stage | March 5-7, 2025| 8 groups of 6, round-robin, best-of-3|

| Finals | March 8, 2025 | Top 16, double-elimination, best-of-3|

The event is significant as it crowns the world’s strongest Street Fighter 6 player, with the winner qualifying for Capcom Cup 12 in 2026. Given today’s date, March 5, 2025, the group stages are just beginning, and live results are starting to emerge [CAPCOM CUP 11 - The Home of Street Fighter Esports](https://sf.esports.capcom.com/capcomcup/cc11/en/).

The list of participants includes a diverse field, with Punk in Group A and MenaRD in Group E, as per the detailed breakdown:

|-------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|

This grouping suggests potential early matchups that could set the tone for their tournament runs [Capcom Cup 11 - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Capcom_Cup/11).

Expectations and Potential Matchups

Given their recent performances, both Punk and MenaRD are expected to advance from their groups and potentially face off in later stages, which would be a highlight for fans. Punk’s versatility and recent EVO win position him as a strong favorite, while MenaRD’s experience as a two-time champion and his recent EVO Japan victory make him a formidable opponent.

- **Punk’s Prospects**: His ability to adapt to different characters and his consistent top finishes suggest he could make a deep run, possibly reaching the finals. His matchup against players like Itabashi Zangief in Group A could be a test early on.

- **MenaRD’s Prospects**: With a history of performing under pressure, MenaRD is likely to navigate his group, including strong players like Fuudo, and could leverage his experience to challenge for another title. His potential rematches with players like Punk could be decisive.

The tournament’s live updates, starting today, will provide more insight into their performances, but their past encounters, such as Punk’s loss to MenaRD at CEO 2023 Winners’ Final, indicate a competitive rivalry [Street Fighter 6 at CEO 2023 Brackets and Results | DashFight](https://dashfight.com/news/street-fighter-6-at-ceo-2023-the-raging-bull-does-it-again-2820).

Conclusion

As Capcom Cup 11 unfolds, Punk and MenaRD’s performances will be central to the narrative, with their skills and histories promising thrilling matches. The event, beginning today and concluding on March 9, is a celebration of Street Fighter’s competitive spirit, and fans can expect intense battles as these titans vie for the title. Stay tuned for live results and updates as the tournament progresses.

Key Citations

- [Punk - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Punk)

- [MenaRD - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/MenaRD)

- [Evo 2023 Top 6 Results - Street Fighter 6](https://www.evo.gg/news/evo-2023-top-6-results-street-fighter-6)

- [Street Fighter League Pro-US 2024 early results, stream ft. Punk, MenaRD, NuckleDu, DualKevin, JB, Lexx, Caba, OilKing, NL, Xian, DCQ, Sayff and more](https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2024/oct/16/street-fighter-league-us-results/)

- [Still King: MenaRD wins CEO SF6 with Blanka counterpick | esports.gg](https://esports.gg/news/street-fighter-6/still-king-menard-wins-ceo-sf6-with-blanka-counterpick/)

- [CAPCOM CUP 11 - The Home of Street Fighter Esports](https://sf.esports.capcom.com/capcomcup/cc11/en/)

- [Capcom Cup 11 - Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki](https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Capcom_Cup/11)

- [Gamers8 2023 Street Fighter 6 results](https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2023/aug/09/gamers8-2023-sf6-results/)

- [Street Fighter 6 at CEO 2023 Brackets and Results | DashFight](https://dashfight.com/news/street-fighter-6-at-ceo-2023-the-raging-bull-does-it-again-2820)