Welcome to all Valorant fans and viewers! From September 12 to October 5, 2025, the biggest tournament of the year — VALORANT Champions 2025 — is taking place. Sixteen teams are battling for the title of Global Valorant Champions and a massive prize pool.
On the 18th day of competition, all eyes are on the Lower Bracket Round 2, where Brazilian squad MIBR will face Korean team DRX in a decisive match. Both teams have endured tough series to keep their hopes alive, and now every round has become a fight for survival.
According to the bookmakers, MIBR enter this matchup as the favorites: the Brazilians have shown more consistent play and have repeatedly proven their ability to handle the pressure of elimination games. However, DRX cannot be counted out — the Korean squad boasts strong individual talent and valuable international experience, making them dangerous opponents in any series.
This clash promises to be intense and entertaining: both teams are fighting not only for victory but also to keep their journey at Champions 2025 alive, as a loss here means elimination from the tournament.
How bookmakers see it: Favorite — MIBR
Most bookmakers consider MIBR the favorite in their match against DRX at VALORANT Champions 2025. The odds stand at 1.60 for the Brazilian squad compared to 2.18 for the Korean team.
While DRX claimed the Asian Champions League 2025, confirming their high level on the regional stage, MIBR have shown confident and consistent performances in recent months. Their results against strong opponents and ability to handle pressure make them the deserved favorites in this matchup.
MIBR form: What result can be expected from MIBR?
The Brazilian team MIBR has had a rather mixed season, combining impressive victories with unexpected setbacks. Throughout the year, the squad has shown fluctuating form: at times handling regional opponents with confidence and displaying aggressive strategies, but also struggling against top-tier lineups and making mistakes in crucial rounds.
The roster is built around players who combine strong individual skill with Brazil’s signature bold playstyle. ArtziN serves as captain and in-game leader, setting the team’s overall tempo. He is supported by xenom, who brings aggression and often takes initiative in key moments. Cortezia is known for his stability and versatility, covering the team’s weaknesses and creating space for core players. The star of the team is aspas — one of the strongest duelists in the world, whose mechanics and aggression on agents like Jett allow MIBR to win rounds even in the toughest situations. Rounding out the lineup is Verno, a young talent who has added freshness and confidence to the squad midway through the season.
MIBR roster: artziN, xenom, cortezia, aspas, Verno
The season for MIBR can also be described as “inconsistent”: they weren’t always able to secure top finishes in standings, and the pressure of elimination matches sometimes led to mistakes. Nevertheless, on the international stage the team has gradually looked more confident, showing clear progress. While they fell short of the playoffs at the Esports World Cup 2025, MIBR proved they can compete with the best.
At VALORANT Champions 2025, MIBR began their run with a 2-0 victory over BLG. They then lost a close series to Fnatic 1-2, but bounced back in a decisive match against RRQ, securing their place in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, MIBR impressed by defeating one of the tournament favorites, Team Heretics, with a clean 2-0. However, they fell short in their next series, losing 2-1 to another powerhouse, NRG. Now, just one step away from elimination, they face DRX in a do-or-die match to keep their Champions journey alive.
DRX form: What result can be expected from DRX?
The team DRX has remained one of the leading forces on the Asian Valorant scene for several years, consistently ranking among the region’s strongest squads. Despite roster changes in 2025, the Korean club has managed to stay competitive and continues to be a dangerous opponent for any team on the international stage. The new season began confidently, once again proving that DRX are capable of fighting for top positions.
The current DRX roster brings together young and ambitious players around whom the team is building its future. Kim “MaKo” Myeong-kwan remains the squad’s main leader, setting the pace and shaping strategy on the server; No “Freeing” Ha-jun plays the role of tactical support and all-rounder, able to adapt to different needs; Song “HYUNMIN” Hyun-min adds aggression and fresh energy, often taking initiative in attacking rounds; Kang “BeYN” Ha-bin is the key initiator and support, creating space for teammates and opportunities to hit sites; Park “Estrella” Geon provides discipline and control, anchoring the team and keeping balance; Cho “Flashback” Min-hyuk plays the role of aggressive duelist and main source of early picks; while Yoon “Flicker” Tae-hee remains a versatile player, capable of filling multiple roles depending on the draft.
The squad is led by experienced coach Pyeon “termi” Seon-ho, supported by veteran Kim “glow” Min-soo. Their combined leadership ensures discipline and strategic flexibility, while helping younger players gain confidence and unlock their potential.
DRX roster: MaKo, Freeing, HYUNMIN, BeYN, Estrella, Flashback, Flicker
In the first half of the 2025 season, DRX competed at the VCT Pacific Kickoff, advancing to the main stage of the tournament. Later, they played at Masters Bangkok 2025, gaining valuable international experience, and also reached the Esports World Cup 2025, cementing their place among the world’s elite. In their regional league — VCT Pacific Stage 1 and Stage 2 — DRX showed consistent performances, battling on equal footing with powerhouses like Paper Rex and Gen.G.
At VALORANT Champions 2025, DRX began their campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Team Liquid, displaying discipline and strong map control. However, in their second group match, the Korean squad fell to NRG 1-2, unable to maintain consistency in key rounds. To advance, DRX faced a rematch against Team Liquid, once again proving their superiority with another 2-0 win, securing their spot in the playoffs.
In the upper bracket of the playoffs, DRX faced Fnatic. The series was close and hard-fought, but the Koreans lost 1-2, dropping to the lower bracket. There, DRX regrouped and managed to overcome G2 Esports in a tough 2-1 victory, keeping their tournament run alive.
Head-to-Head History
Throughout their history, the two teams have never faced each other. This will be their very first encounter — and it comes in the lower bracket, in a do-or-die elimination match.
Players to Watch
MIBR: aspas — the superstar of the Brazilian roster and one of the strongest duelists in the world. His play on Jett has long become a trademark of the scene: lightning-fast entries, bold peeks, and pinpoint accuracy make him the ultimate X-factor in any match. Aspas is capable of turning the tide single-handedly, winning rounds that already seemed lost. His aggression is far from reckless — every move is backed by a sharp sense of timing and the ability to catch opponents at their most vulnerable moment.
DRX: MaKo — the key figure of DRX and one of the most consistent players on the Korean Valorant scene. His role as a controller goes far beyond standard utility support: MaKo sets the overall structure of the team’s play, keeps balance in difficult situations, and often becomes the player who holds DRX together in decisive moments. His smart use of smokes, precise timing, and composure in clutch situations allow DRX to remain competitive even against the strongest opponents. For fans and analysts, MaKo is the clearest indicator of DRX’s form: if he is sharp, the team can fight with anyone.
Probable Map Picks
In the MIBR vs DRX series, the map pool could decide the outcome. MIBR are strongest on Haven and Bind, but struggle on Ascent, Pearl, and Lotus. DRX excel on Ascent, Bind, Fracture, Pearl, and Abyss, while weaker on Lotus, Sunset, and Corrode.
MIBR will likely ban Ascent, DRX should remove Corrode. That leaves Haven as the expected pick for MIBR, Fracture or Pearl for DRX, with Sunset or Lotus as likely deciders.
Predicted picks:
- MIBR: Haven
- DRX: Fracture or Pearl
- Decider: Sunset or Lotus
Anything else catch the eye?
This matchup showcases two very different playstyles. MIBR lean on trademark Brazilian aggression with aspas at the center, while DRX are defined by discipline and structure led by MaKo. Such a clash of philosophies always creates unpredictability.
It’s also an elimination match — both teams are under immense pressure, where a single mistake could end their tournament run. Ultimately, the spotlight will be on aspas and MaKo, whose individual form and clutch plays may decide the outcome.
Match Prediction
The match between MIBR and DRX promises to be tense, with both teams eager to extend their tournament run. DRX bring discipline and structure, while MIBR rely on aggression, flashy plays, and relentless pressure from the start.
Although the matchup looks even on paper, MIBR’s current form, confidence in clutch moments, and the impact of aspas give them the edge. Their explosive style could disrupt DRX’s measured approach and secure the win.
Main prediction — MIBR to win.
