Esports teams often face unexpected hurdles, and Dragon Rage Gamer (DRG) just hit one. The team announced on Friday, September 5th, that Maximilian “Demon1” Mazanov will temporarily join their VALORANT squad. He steps in for Ilya “vo0kashu” Ushakov for the upcoming VALORANT Champions Paris 2025.
This sudden roster change comes because “vo0kashu,” a Russian player, is still waiting for his visa. Without it, he can’t travel to play in the big global tournament. “Demon1” will fill his shoes as DRG’s starting sentinel until “vo0kashu” gets clearance. It’s a familiar scramble for teams trying to navigate international competitions.
“Demon1” is no stranger to high-stakes VALORANT. He played for Evil Geniuses and helped them win the VALORANT Champions title in 2023. He also spent time with teams like NRG and, most recently, Leviatán, leaving them in August 2025. His experience should give DRG a solid stand-in.
The VALORANT Champions 2025 event runs from September 12 to October 5. Paris, France, will host all the action. Teams from around the globe will fight for the ultimate championship.
Welcome @Demon1___ #VCTCN pic.twitter.com/vwoBm0Z8u4
— Dragon Ranger Gaming (@DRG_off) September 5, 2025
Brazil’s MIBR is the only team from their region to qualify for the tournament. They will play their first match on September 15. Their opening opponent will be Bilibili Gaming. All eyes will be on DRG to see how “Demon1” fits into their lineup on such short notice.