FaZe Clan signs Smash Ultimate wonderkid Sparg0

FaZe Clan announced they're expanding into fighting games by sponsoring Smash Ultimate pro Edgar "Sparg0" Valdez. The reveal occurred as the 16-year-old was about to compete in the Genesis 8 finals.

Sparg0 has been slowly rising the ranks in Ultimate, particularly during the now known "online-era" when the pandemic hit in 2020. In March, the Tijuana-born Cloud main hit his peak when he won Ultimate Summit 4 and Collision; two Smash majors played one week apart.

FaZe Clan opted for the wait to announce their latest signing and incursion into Smash Ultimate – waiting until Sparg0 took the stage to start competing in Genesis' Top 8. Sparg0 would then deliver a heartstopping five-game set victory against Salvatore "Zomba" DeSena.

Who is Smash pro Sparg0?

Had to enter the Smash scene with a bang 💥

Welcome to FaZe Clan, @Sparg0ssbpic.twitter.com/O9YLaUvixU

— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) April 17, 2022

If you're a FaZe Clan fan but haven't been following the Smash scene, you should know that the org signed arguably the hottest free agent in the Smash community. While he may be 16-years-old, Sparg0 has been grinding Smash games for years.
Back in Smash 4, he placed 31st in the Wi-Fi Warrior Rank v2, a list that recognised the best online competitors during the second half of 2018. As Ultimate came along, Sparg0 kept his previous Smash 4 main, Cloud.

With the vast majority of the community agreeing that the Final Fantasy VII protagonist was a shadow of his former self with some substantial nerfs and the game-changing pace completely, Sparg0 didn't waiver.

• 16-year-old prodigy Sparg0 wins back-to-back Smash Ultimate majors
• Smash Bros to miss Evo due to Nintendo interference
  
• MkLeo caps off an impressive 2021, wins Smash World Tour
  
• Smash Melee pro Hungrybox becomes Team Liquid co-owner

Heading to CEO 2019, his first major outside Mexico for Smash Ultimate, Sparg0 placed 17th, surprising those who haven't been exposed to his raw talent yet. A few more respectable placings at important events such as Genesis 7, Let's Make Big Moves, or Smash Factor 7 meant that he was considered a very talented player but not one to be considered a proper threat offline. 

His online grind during 2020 and 2021 returned to offline competition once the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down, a very anticipated down. Sparg0 delivered. He placed second at events like Smash Con: Fall Fest, Port Priority 6, Mainstage 2021 and winning both Ultimate Summit 4 and Collision meant that the young prodigy had finally hit the peak fans had waited for since he started his journey.

Now, the young Mexican Smash star will represent one of esports' most iconic organisations, marking a new beginning for him and the Smash Ultimate scene. 

For more on all things Smash Ultimate, check out our dedicated section filled with the latest news, tournament results, and more.

Featured image courtesy of FaZe Clan.