SoNNeikO and ATF: The fight rumors explained

Two pro Dota 2 players almost got in a fight after Ammar “ATF” Alassaf called Akbar “SoNNeikO” Butaev “braindead” during an online match.

Earlier this weekend, SoNNeikO caused his team Avulus to receive a penalty during PGL Wallachia Season 2 after he threatened Team Falcons’ ATF in a hotel lobby. According to ATF, his rival had put his arm around him while making physical threats, asking him to go outside to fight. The two had to be separated. PGL said on X that Avulus was issued a level three draft penalty for the entire series against Team Falcons “following an altercation.” The tournament organizers said that the behavior “goes against the values of sportsmanship and respect,” causing them to take “appropriate action” to ensure the integrity of the match.

With rumors of an actual fight swirling between SoNNeikO and ATF swirling, here’s what actually happened between the two at PGL Wallachia Season 2.

ATF and SoNNeikO hotel lobby fight explained

SoNNeikO threatened ATF with violence in a hotel lobby during PGL Wallachia Season 2, but no actual fight occurred.

According to ATF, the two had been competing in a ranked game three months ago when he called SoNNeikO “brain dead.” After the match, SoNNeikO allegedly sent a “threatening message” on X but ATF thought it was just banter. Apparently, the Avulus pro was serious.

“Today, he approached me in [the] hotel lobby, put his arm on my shoulder, and started threatening to punch me into the ground,” ATF wrote. He added that he responded by telling SoNNeikO to punch him but he “just stood there” and kept threatening him until a coach from Avulus made him stop.

“Anyways, I guess he did this because he can’t beat me in game,” ATF joked.

ATF is known for being very toxic, often trolling other players in-game. While this has led some X users to blame ATF for the drama, calling him “irritating” and accusing him of “playing victim” after being toxic. Some also warned ATF that acting up in-game was just asking for violence in real life.

But it doesn’t seem like Team Falcons agrees with this line of thinking. The team tweeted that SoNNeikO should be removed from the tournament completely. It wrote that it would consider leaving the tournament if SoNNeikO isn’t punished beyond the draft time penalty. Some fans agreed, noting that threats of physical violence should notf be allowed at a tournament no matter what ATF said online.

SoNNeikO has not discussed his side of events but tweeted that his retelling of events is coming on Monday. Some fans have joked that SoNNeikO holding a grudge for three months is cringe, saying on Reddit to “get a grip.” For now, Dota 2 fans will have to wait to hear what SoNNeikO has to say.