Defending Capcom Cup champion iDom eager for a chance to reclaim his title

Derek “iDom” Ruffin will be the reigning Capcom Cup champion when the next Capcom Pro Tour starts up again sometime in 2022. The world-beater who represents New York has been the unchallenged king without a crown since 2019 because of the cancellation of the Capcom Cup the past two years due to COVID. Despite the continued cancellation of the best competition to represent his skill, iDom has stayed on top of the unofficial global leaderboards as a force online -- an environment he was used to and thrived in before rising to prominence.

When iDom qualified for the Capcom Cup in 2019, he was rumored to be a threat to win it all via hype from his friends and greatest supporters. His fear of flying prevented him from entering many events that year, but he did well by placing at least top eight in five of the six events he played in, including 5th-6th in Street Fighter V at the Evolution Fighting Game Championships (Evo). Armed with the unconventional picks of Laura and Poison, he was the player that everyone had the least experience facing, and that was his advantage.

“Going into that Capcom Cup, I wasn’t expecting to win, but a lot of the competition did not want to play against me,” iDom said. “My seeding (26th) made me the landmine in the bracket, and when you feel like that it’s good because no one is prepared to play against you and they’re nervous to fight. When there’s no real pressure and it doesn’t matter, it’s the best feeling because no one will care how you do. If I went 0-2, no one would say I underperformed.”

Despite his claim that he would be satisfied with any result, iDom said that he practiced the most he ever did for that tournament -- with most days spanning around 12 hours of games and lab work. His believers from his local scene at Next Level Battle Circuit knew he had the marks of a champion and sold his skill better than he was willing to admit about himself. There were expectations despite the cavalier attitude, and he proved every faithful supporter correct. He said that he wanted his game to talk for him.

“The way I play, I have very good defense -- maybe some of the best in the game. If you play too textbook, people will catch on, so you need to throw in some random elements to it from time-to-time,” iDom said. “You must make sure when you’re being random, it works. You’re reading the textbook, but you’re skipping a chapter here and there. This game is a lot about stealing turns or oppressing the other, but if you prevent a lot of that you will be fine.”

IDom vs. Punk

Photo credit: Marv Watson / Red Bull

Fast forward to Feb. 20, 2022, to the Capcom Pro Tour season finale and iDom has qualified for an exhibition off his performances in both North American East qualifiers, a second-place and first-place finish, respectively. He is facing an old rival in Victor “Punk” Woodley, the same opponent from his Capcom Cup 2019 final and the 1A to his 1B in North America. He’s a player whom he both respects and understands that he needs to beat in order to further his claim as the best player in the world.

To prepare for an exhibition, he said, is easier than an open tournament simply because you have to train for only one person or style. But, ultimately, the motivation to improve isn’t to beat one person -- the goal is always the game. The result of an exhibition, while exciting to face someone who always seems to be the final hurdle for him, is not why iDom continues to play. He still wants to show that he can win on the biggest stage.

“I already felt like I beat the game, like there was nothing left to do, but the realization to do more came a few months after the victory,” iDom said about his Capcom Cup victory. “I want to be the perfect player and master the game, so that’s what I strove for. I beat the final hurdle, but I skipped so many of the side quests. I still want to do well in events like Street Fighter League or Evo.”

IDom lost to Punk in the exhibition, but still holds a slight edge over his rival since the Capcom Cup. For a player who already reached the highest peak, what else is there to prove to any of the doubters? For iDom, the chance to defend his title is everything. He still wants to prove his skill to anyone potentially downplaying his achievements.

Hungry for more

Photo credit: Marv Watson / Red Bull

“There needs to be another Capcom Cup, and hopefully in Street Fighter V, because I want to defend my title. I want to be able to play in another Cup because I may not be as good in this game as I am right now,” iDom said.

With a Street Fighter VI release imminent, who knows if iDom will get a chance to defend his Capcom Cup title in SFV.

“After this game, it might just be all downhill from here. The three main events for me are Capcom Cup, Evolution and Combo Breaker and I want to win them offline,” he said.

The Capcom Cup isn’t just for a couple of players with high odds to finish well or to crown a superior region, it’s a tournament that provides an opportunity for anyone who works hard enough to be remembered. It’s a tournament that needs to have another showing and showcase the best of the fighting game community to the world.

IDom knew what his victory did to his reputation and stock. He was able to sign with an org, XSET, after so many years of grinding local tournament circuits and winning the occasional major event. In addition to defending his title, he wants other players that are as hungry as him to get a chance to claim glory.

“It sucks every year that goes by because I can’t get an attempt to play -- I’m already a champion in the Capcom Cup, but a lot of the new guys can’t show their abilities,” Ruffin said. “When you play in something so high stakes, it’s unmatched. Some of the offline tournaments, you don’t care as much, but when you play in something that can be life-changing you play very hard.”

Lead photo credit: Marv Watson / Red Bull