• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 00:49
CEST 06:49
KST 13:49
  • 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
Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection6Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview5[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO12 Preview2
Community News
[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June2Weekly Cups (May 25-31): Clem doubles, 2v2 circuit heads toward finale0StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th151Weekly Cups (May 18-24): MaxPax wins doubles0Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League6
StarCraft 2
General
TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? What kind of tool would you be interested in? Oliveira Would Have Returned If EWC Continued
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament GSL Code S Season 2 (2026) WardiTV Mondays Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule ! Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected Welcome to the External Content forum
Brood War
General
BW animated web series: seeking contributors 25 Years Since Brood War Patch 1.08 FlaSh's ASL S21 Finals Review BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ [BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June
Tourneys
[BSL22] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CEST [ASL21] Grand Finals [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2
Strategy
Why doesn't anyone use restoration? Any training maps people recommend? Muta micro map competition [G] Hydra ZvZ: An Introduction
Other Games
General Games
ZeroSpace Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread PC Games Sales Thread Summer Games Done Quick 2026! The Perfect Game
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
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
Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Trading/Investing Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Esportsmanship: How to NOT B…
TrAiDoS
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 7295 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?37095 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
51607 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 States273 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
PiGosaur Cup
00:00
#85 (PTR Edition)
PiGStarcraft668
CranKy Ducklings93
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
PiGStarcraft668
ViBE387
RuFF_SC2 133
Nina 113
ProTech69
StarCraft: Brood War
GuemChi 4033
Rain 3448
ZergMaN 92
HiyA 44
Tasteless 32
Noble 23
Nal_rA 18
Icarus 6
Dota 2
NeuroSwarm114
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K209
Super Smash Bros
hungrybox582
Mew2King43
Other Games
summit1g11140
C9.Mang0538
WinterStarcraft406
Maynarde165
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick998
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH138
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP111
• practicex 26
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Lourlo1166
• Rush1034
Upcoming Events
Replay Cast
4h 12m
Kung Fu Cup
6h 12m
Maestros of the Game
10h 12m
Classic vs Lambo
Clem vs Maru
Replay Cast
19h 12m
The PondCast
1d 5h
Maestros of the Game
1d 10h
Serral vs Rogue
herO vs SHIN
OSC
1d 17h
Replay Cast
1d 19h
Maestros of the Game
2 days
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
OSC
4 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL Season 22
2026 GSL S2
Heroes Pulsing #1

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
Acropolis #4 - GSB
SCTL 2026 Spring
WardiTV Spring 2026
Maestros of the Game 2
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Murky Cup 2026
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
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026

Upcoming

BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
Heroes Pulsing #3
Heroes Pulsing #2
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
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.