Leonardo "MKLeo" Lopez Perez has been the most dominant player in Smash 4 and Smash Ultimate. However, he was a no-show at last year's EVO. Therefore, there is a solid argument that he is truly not the best in the game. MKLeo spoke with Inven Global during Day 2 of EVO before being brought down to the loser's bracket about training for EVO, his thoughts on the competition, and what Nintendo can do to capitalize post-EVO.

Thanks for taking time for the interview. How's your EVO been so far?

It's been busy actually since everyone wants a picture with me. Also at the same time, I need to play and focus. It's been fun so far.


You've been so dominant in Smash since Smash 4. How did you become so dominant?

I actually don't know to be honest. I was the best in Smash 4 during the end. I couldn't come to last EVO so I have the desire to really win this year. 

Now that I'm supposed to be the best player in Ultimate and I supposed to win EVO because everyone thinks I'm going to win. I'm just going to try my best. I don't want to lose really bad. At the same time, I want to win but I don't know if that's possible. 


How did you prepare for this EVO? What things did you improve on?

One of my friends from France, Solary's Glutonny, actually went to my house. We were practicing at my house and he's a really good player. He's a top 10 player right now. I should be fine. I was like, EVO is next week so I played the game nonstop.


How much time did you invest to prepare for EVO?

Everyone wants to win so I've been preparing for it since Ultimate came out. This week, I've been playing a lot, I mean a lot! That was my training point. 

How confident are you to win the whole thing?

I'm 80% positive I will win Smash in EVO. My bracket is looking really good and I don't think I'm going to lose. But, you never know if someone unknown will show up. I think I will win though.


This year, there are over 3,000 players in Smash. What are your thoughts about that? Do you think the bar is raised because of that?

There are many people that think they're not going to win. There are many people that think they have a good chance at winning. That's really cool to see - it's like a huge party. It's really cool to see people that love Smash. I hope every tournament is like this and hope that Nintendo fully supports this game. 


What do you think Nintendo has to do to make Smash a bigger scene? 

They have to do more tournaments and I am not saying online tournaments. I honestly don't know how it works. By doing tournaments, it will be enough for more people to come out and show their skill.


Would you like to see more people come out like this in upcoming events?

Of course! It means more money too. Lately, there was a Fortnite event where money was in the millions. I would like to see that in Smash. I'm the best player so I would love to win that money. That would be so great. 

Who do you think will be your toughest opponent?

Everyone is going to try to win so I don't want to think that Tweek, Marss, or Nairo will be the hardest opponents. I think everyone is going to be hard. 


Is there anyone that surprised you so far? 

Eh, not really. 


Good luck moving forward in EVO! Is there anything you want to say to the fans out there?

Thank you for supporting me. I'm going to try my best at EVO. Hopefully, I win the tournament so you keep thinking I'm the best player.