Former Champs MVP Maximillian “Demon1” Mazanov will join the Chinese roster Dragon Ranger Gaming as a stand-in at VALORANT Champions Paris 2025.
After months warming the bench, Demon1 was released from Leviatán in August.
The VALORANT Champions 2023 winner and MVP’s pursuit of glory has taken him across the pond to China, where he’ll join DRG for Champions Paris (September 12 – October 5)
DRG announces Demon1 as a stand-in. Image Credit: DRG
The #2 seed in China took to social media to announce that Demon1 is joining the squad for Champions Paris, making the crowning tournament’s “Group of Death” even more deadly.
Demon1 summoned to Champions Paris
Before anyone knew about Demon1 joining DRG as a stand-in, Group D was already stacked to the brim with talent, so much so that we dubbed it the “Group of Death” of Champions Paris.
Group D boasts G2 Esports, the #1 seed in America, alongside Esports World Cup winners Team Heretics as the #4 seed from EMEA, Masters Bangkok champions T1 as the #3 seed from Pacific, and DRG.
The lineup of teams in Group D is so strong that it wouldn’t be surprising to see any of them go all the way in Paris.
The American superstar could be the X-factor DRG needs to emerge from the group unscathed.
On the flipside, Ilya “vo0kashu” Ushakov’s absence could give their opponents an opening to exploit. After all, one has to consider that DRG has had little time to practice with Demon1.
Coincidentally, Demon1 celebrated his 23rd birthday just one day after the DRG announcement. Doesn’t that just give off main character energy?
Let’s gooooo! pic.twitter.com/x0o163eT4S
— Dragon Ranger Gaming (@DRG_off) September 6, 2025
On September 8, the organization touched down in Paris and is “all together now.” The accompanying image shows Demon1 with the team, and Russian star vo0kashu crudely photoshopped in for a bit of lighthearted fun.