• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 04:29
CET 09:29
KST 17:29
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy4ByuL: The Forgotten Master of ZvT30Behind the Blue - Team Liquid History Book19Clem wins HomeStory Cup 289HomeStory Cup 28 - Info & Preview13
Community News
Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool22Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win32026 KungFu Cup Announcement6BGE Stara Zagora 2026 cancelled12Blizzard Classic Cup - Tastosis announced as captains18
StarCraft 2
General
Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool Serral: 24’ EWC form was hurt by military service Weekly Cups (March 9-15): herO, Clem, ByuN win Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - Presented by Monster Energy Weekly Cups (August 25-31): Clem's Last Straw?
Tourneys
- nuked - KSL Week 87 [GSL CK] #2: Team Classic vs. Team Solar 2026 KungFu Cup Announcement [GSL CK] #1: Team Maru vs. Team herO
Strategy
Custom Maps
Publishing has been re-enabled! [Feb 24th 2026] Map Editor closed ?
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 517 Distant Threat Mutation # 516 Specter of Death Mutation # 515 Together Forever
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ JaeDong's form before ASL Gypsy to Korea ASL21 General Discussion BSL Season 22
Tourneys
Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL22] Open Qualifiers & Ladder Tours IPSL Spring 2026 is here!
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2 Fighting Spirit mining rates Zealot bombing is no longer popular?
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile General RTS Discussion Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Five o'clock TL Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Mexico's Drug War Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion Tokyo Olympics 2021 Thread General nutrition recommendations Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Laptop capable of using Photoshop Lightroom?
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Money Laundering In Video Ga…
TrAiDoS
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
FS++
Kraekkling
Shocked by a laser…
Spydermine0240
Unintentional protectionism…
Uldridge
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3715 users

[Interview] MMA on joining Acer and Fred Gau

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
Seeker *
Profile Blog Joined April 2005
Where dat snitch at?37064 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-21 04:15:23
November 21 2012 04:12 GMT
#1
Official MMA and Cella announcement here: http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=383271



Fred "Kaoru" Gau

[image loading]

Source: This Is Game

Congratulations on your new pickup. Tell us how you feel about recruiting MMA and Cella.

I am so glad that Cella and MMA joined Acer. I went to Korea because of Iron Squid reasons and I was able to visit the SlayerS team house and that's where I got to meet them for the first time. Ever since then, I've always wanted the chance to work with them. SlayerS was my favorite Korean team. Of course, we didn't do any negotiating or business transactions while they were still affiliated with SlayerS. But then I realized I finally got that opportunity that I had been hoping for after SlayerS announced their disbandment. If MMA ever gets to step on a Code S finals stage again, I want to go to Korea and cheer him on.

Why did you choose MMA and Cella?

MMA is one of the most famous Korean players out there. Recently, Acer needed to solidify our roster so we were in need of a brand new player. Currently, Acer is home to really famous players like Scarlett and Nerchio so we couldn't really find anymore overseas players we liked. That's when we decided we wanted MMA. I truly believe that if MMA can just get back in to his old shape, he will become the best player again. I was convinced of this when I saw MMA win the Iron Squid Chapter 1.

As for Cella, we needed someone who could help out our influence in Korea. Cella has a lot of connections and he's very loyal to the teams he's a part of so I saw that recruiting him with MMA would be nothing but positive for us. Cella is also very famous overseas. I truly believe that Cella's fame will be able to greatly help us out in the Korean, Asian, and even the North American scene.

So Cella will be your representative for the Asian scene. Does that mean you are looking to recruit more Asian players?

I guess you could say that. Cella will be a manager for our team and also a coach. He's definitely going to be a great asset for when we want to recruit more Korean players and he'll accompany us whenever we go to overseas tournaments so he'll help us there too. I also believe that Cella will be able to teach our European players things about the game that Korean players understand very well. And definitely also for our team leagues. Also, if we get a chance to put our hand in the Korean market waters, I really want to go for it.

[image loading]

You announced a hint that you're recruiting a non European player and that you're recruiting a Zerg.

That's correct. Our hint was supposed to play a trick on the people. I did it this way to ensure that no one leaked this information before we released it and we also wanted to surprise everyone by announcing both Cella and MMA. Therefore, the non-European player was MMA, and the Zerg was Cella.

What will be their future plans? Will they be living overseas?

For now, they will be remaining in Korea. For MMA, the GSL is the most important tournament. MMA will be attending overseas tournaments but for now, his priority is IPL, Iron Squid, and the GSL. However, if he has a chance to attend an overseas qualifiers, then he's gonna go for it.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am very honored to have MMA on our team and grateful for the opportunity. I feel really good about MMA and Cella joining our team. I also want to thank This Is Game. I've always stayed on top of news announcements by TIG and now that I've actually had the opportunity to get an interview with TIG, I am glad. Lastly, I want to thank team Acer for everything and request that people follow my two new friends on twitter.

Fred Gau @AcerKaoru
Moon Sung Won @AcerMMA
Hong Seung Pyo @AcerCella



(T)Acer_MMA

[image loading]

Source: This Is Game

Congratulations on finding a new team. Tell us how you feel about getting in to Acer?

I am very glad that I was able to join a team like Acer. I received a lot of offers from many teams but back in May during the Iron Squid Chapter 1, I got to meet the manager of team Acer, Fred "Kaoru" Gau, and he approached me with such vigor that the process got handled pretty quickly.

So Fred Gau approached you first?

That's correct. When the news about me talking to Axiom and EG got released, he contacted me straight away. He kept asking for a chance and very strongly voiced his desire for me to be on team Acer.

After SlayerS disbanded, you must have received a ton of offers. Tell us why you chose Acer.

It's true that I received a lot of offers. But most of their contracts did not really fit what I wanted. Personally, I really wanted to feel liberated after joining a team and Acer turned out to fit every single one of my needs.

So what's going to happen from here? Are you going to move overseas?

Nope. I will leave Korea when I need to attend overseas tournaments but I will continue to live in Korea.

Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.

I don't know yet but I'm pretty sure that's what's going to happen. I think for the time being, I'm going to have to practice alone in Korea.

What are your future plans?

For now, all my focus is on Code A and IPL 5. And right now, I am participating heavily in NASL and Iron Squid Chapter 2 online matches.

Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.

Tell us about your future goals.

I am so glad I was able to join a great team like Acer. I'm going to make sure I repay them for giving me such a good deal by delivering phenomenal performances. I hope my fans will lie in eager anticipation for me.
ModeratorPeople ask me, "Seeker, what are you seeking?" My answer? "Sleep, damn it! Always sleep!"
TL+ Member
opterown *
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Australia54784 Posts
November 21 2012 04:15 GMT
#2
wonder if this is the boost MMA needs to improve
ModeratorRetired LR Bonjwa
TL+ Member
Awesomeness
Profile Joined October 2008
Germany1361 Posts
November 21 2012 04:17 GMT
#3
Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.


Sounds like a lot of money.
xlord 5:0
sertman
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States540 Posts
November 21 2012 04:17 GMT
#4
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?
opterown *
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Australia54784 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-21 04:18:59
November 21 2012 04:18 GMT
#5
On November 21 2012 13:17 sertman wrote:
Show nested quote +
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?

i assume it means that scarlett and nerchio are really good? so MMA would struggle against them in practice
ModeratorRetired LR Bonjwa
TL+ Member
Netsky
Profile Joined October 2010
Australia1155 Posts
November 21 2012 04:19 GMT
#6
Really happy for both parties.

I'm sure MMA in particular wasn't cheap, but if he can thrive out of the team house environment he will be back to his beast-mode self in no time
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51564 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-21 04:22:16
November 21 2012 04:21 GMT
#7
On November 21 2012 13:17 Awesomeness wrote:
Show nested quote +
Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.


Sounds like a lot of money.


to be fair, esf players get zero to little salary.
don't think his salary compares to what the top kespa players earn though.
Commentator
Dodgin
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
Canada39254 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-21 04:23:49
November 21 2012 04:21 GMT
#8
On November 21 2012 13:17 sertman wrote:
Show nested quote +
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?


I think it means Scarlett and Nerchio are very good so beating them in practice is tough.

On November 21 2012 13:21 GTR wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2012 13:17 Awesomeness wrote:
Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.


Sounds like a lot of money.


to be fair, esf players get zero to little salary.
don't think his salary compares to what the top kespa players earn though.


Well, if he knows what MC and Puma make and he says " It's the best offer of every single Korean player so far " It's probably pretty good.
ssxsilver
Profile Joined June 2007
United States4409 Posts
November 21 2012 04:23 GMT
#9
On November 21 2012 13:18 opterown wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2012 13:17 sertman wrote:
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?

i assume it means that scarlett and nerchio are really good? so MMA would struggle against them in practice


I think it refers to the cross-server issue since his answer sorta infers he'll have to solo practice until things get sorted out better.
Bibbit
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Canada5377 Posts
November 21 2012 04:24 GMT
#10
On November 21 2012 13:17 sertman wrote:
Show nested quote +
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?

I'm taking it as a cross-server difficulty thing.
arcane1129
Profile Joined January 2011
United States271 Posts
November 21 2012 04:25 GMT
#11
On November 21 2012 13:17 sertman wrote:
Show nested quote +
Your new teammates are players like Scarlett and Nerchio. Practice must be difficult with players like them.


oo was this an insult against those two o.O can someone who speaks korean clarify the intent?


I assumed it had to do with cross server latency (and maybe language barrier?)
vthree
Profile Joined November 2011
Hong Kong8039 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-11-21 04:29:26
November 21 2012 04:28 GMT
#12
On November 21 2012 13:21 GTR wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2012 13:17 Awesomeness wrote:
Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.


Sounds like a lot of money.


to be fair, esf players get zero to little salary.
don't think his salary compares to what the top kespa players earn though.


It is likely he is referring to koreans that got contracts from foreign tams and not kespa contracts. In terms of name value and accomplishments, only MC's signing is comparable.

As for the difficult practice, I think it is a compliment to Scarlett and Nerchio who are both considered top foreigners (and overall players) by Koreans.
opterown *
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Australia54784 Posts
November 21 2012 04:31 GMT
#13
On November 21 2012 13:28 vthree wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2012 13:21 GTR wrote:
On November 21 2012 13:17 Awesomeness wrote:
Are you liking the terms of your new contract?

Absolutely. I feel like I've been given the best offer out of every single Korean player so far.


Sounds like a lot of money.


to be fair, esf players get zero to little salary.
don't think his salary compares to what the top kespa players earn though.


It is likely he is referring to koreans that got contracts from foreign tams and not kespa contracts. In terms of name value and accomplishments, only MC's signing is comparable.

As for the difficult practice, I think it is a compliment to Scarlett and Nerchio who are both considered top foreigners (and overall players) by Koreans.

MC was signed when he was still pretty good though, no? I would have expected him to have a larger salary, especially since SK is more wellknown than Acer for esports
ModeratorRetired LR Bonjwa
TL+ Member
Ender2701
Profile Blog Joined January 2012
United States581 Posts
November 21 2012 04:32 GMT
#14
Hopefully he will start doing well again now... It sounds like he got a very good salary 0.o
WigglingSquid
Profile Joined August 2011
5194 Posts
November 21 2012 04:37 GMT
#15
MMA in a green polo looks so... wrong! Nonetheless, awesome pickup by Team Acer. MMA seems very happy with his contract and hopefully this new peace of mind will contribute to his comeback.
Fenrax
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States5018 Posts
November 21 2012 04:40 GMT
#16
hints: 1. big name non-european 2. Zerg

well played Sir! you fooled everyone :D
illsick
Profile Joined March 2011
United States1770 Posts
November 21 2012 04:53 GMT
#17
I'm glad cella received a job opportunity
you live and you learn
dynwar7
Profile Joined May 2011
1983 Posts
November 21 2012 04:55 GMT
#18
I want to see longer interviews from MMA :D
Regarding the imbalance, hilarious to see Zergs defending themselves....
Integra
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Sweden5626 Posts
November 21 2012 04:59 GMT
#19
Congrats to everyone involved, sounds like an awesome deal for both sponsors and players!

Anyone else finding MMAs answer regarding the deal quite funny?
...and he approached me with such vigor that the process got handled pretty quickly...

Wanna sign MMA? Then you better play rough!
"Dark Pleasure" | | I survived the Locust war of May 3, 2014
Weirdkid
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Singapore2431 Posts
November 21 2012 05:01 GMT
#20
Hmm. Fred Gao or Fred Go, that's the question
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself." - Proverbs 26:4
1 2 3 4 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
00:00
Code For Giants Cup LATAM #5
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
SortOf 54
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 1447
actioN 544
Killer 277
Dewaltoss 157
Leta 78
ToSsGirL 51
EffOrt 34
Sharp 26
Bale 22
GoRush 13
[ Show more ]
soO 12
NotJumperer 9
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1487
shoxiejesuss297
allub187
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King103
Other Games
singsing2056
ceh9347
Sick183
NeuroSwarm56
Fuzer 33
Trikslyr22
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick690
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream198
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 29
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH157
• LUISG 8
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Upcoming Events
KCM Race Survival
1h 31m
Protoss vs Terran
WardiTV Team League
3h 31m
Big Brain Bouts
8h 31m
LetaleX vs Babymarine
Harstem vs GgMaChine
Clem vs Serral
Korean StarCraft League
18h 31m
RSL Revival
1d 1h
Maru vs Zoun
Cure vs ByuN
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
1d 6h
BSL
1d 11h
RSL Revival
2 days
herO vs MaxPax
Rogue vs TriGGeR
BSL
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
Replay Cast
3 days
Afreeca Starleague
3 days
Sharp vs Scan
Rain vs Mong
Wardi Open
3 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Soulkey vs Ample
JyJ vs sSak
Replay Cast
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
hero vs YSC
Larva vs Shine
Kung Fu Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
The PondCast
6 days
WardiTV Team League
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-03-18
WardiTV Winter 2026
Underdog Cup #3

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 1
Jeongseon Sooper Cup
BSL Season 22
CSL Elite League 2026
RSL Revival: Season 4
Nations Cup 2026
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual

Upcoming

ASL Season 21
Acropolis #4 - TS6
2026 Changsha Offline CUP
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
CSL Season 20: Qualifier 1
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
NationLESS Cup
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
CCT Season 3 Global Finals
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.