Over the weekend, Zain Naghmi won the Super Smash Bros. Melee Major at Collision 2025, becoming a back-to-back champion.
Currently considered the second-best Melee player in the world, Zain dominated the competition, including a stacked Top 8, ultimately taking down long-time rival Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma in a partially one-sided Grand Final to take the victory.
Zain Continues Dominance Over Hungrybox at Collision 2025
Winning Collision was a straightforward affair for Zain, who simply stated, ‘back-to-back Collision champ’ after winning the Major.
To get the Grand Final, Zain plowed through formidable opponents Arjun ‘lloD’ Malhotra and Hungrybox, remaining on the Winners side with ease. Meanwhile, Hungrybox was sent down to the Losers bracket after beating Joshua ‘Joshman’ Lyras and then losing to Zain.
The two met again in the Grand Finals, but with totally different storylines. For Hungrybox, this was a tough challenge as his set record against Zain’s Marth was 32-5 leading up to this face-off. While Hungrybox is considered one of the GOATs of Melee, his matchup against Marth in the hands of Zain has not faired well over the years.
“I know how impossible it looks for me at times but, for the sake of Melee, I am too stubborn to quit,” Hungrybox said after losing 3-1. “I’ll keep trying until my fingers break because I’m psychotic enough to believe I can still do it
“Losing sucks, but getting cheered on by y’all makes it worth it.”
Hungrybox isn’t washed by any means, almost catching Zain in the Winner’s Finals. Beating Zain is definitely within Hungrybox’s reach. Still, Zain appears at the top of his game this season and doesn’t seem to have an issue with Hungrybox’s Jigglypuff.
The two will continue to meet up in Top 8’s throughout the year, giving both pros more opportunities to prove themselves. Riptide will bring the best-of-the-best to Ohio on September 5th.
