Both are Champions, both are Friends and both are Pakistanis.
Tekken’s journey in the FGC feels incomplete without the contributions of Pakistani players and if you know the game, then you have definitely heard the names Arslan ash and Atif butt.
Arslan Ash, a seven-time EVO champion and Tekken World Tour 2023 winner, is currently representing Twisted Minds. Atif Butt, the Tekken World Tour 2022 champion and IESF World Champion 2023, now plays under Team Falcons. Both players hail from Pakistan and began their journeys in Lahore’s arcade scene, rising from local competition to become global icons of the Tekken community.
Who is Arslan Ash?
Arslan Ash Siddique is a Lahori who began playing Tekken in his early childhood. From the start, Arslan’s dominance was clear; he defeated anyone who challenged him in local arcades. With his friends, including Atif, he declared: “My game is beyond limits. I want to compete with the legends of Tekken like Knee and Ulsan, and I know I will defeat them.” At the time, few believed him.
Yet his determination, consistency, and willingness to take risks pushed him forward. Borrowing money, relying on friends’ support, and carrying his mother’s prayers, Arslan traveled to Oman for his first international competition and amazingly won.
From that moment, he never looked back. He went on to defeat South Korea’s legendary players like Knee, Ulsan, and LowHigh in multiple tournaments, establishing himself as nearly invincible on the global stage.
Who is Atif Butt?
“People know me as the Tekken World Tour Champion, Atif Butt!” That’s how Atif Ijaz Butt introduces himself to those unfamiliar with his legacy. Belongs to Gujranwala, a city in Punjab, Pakistan, Atif has been playing Tekken and other fighting games since 2005. His journey from local competitions to becoming a global champion reflects years of dedication, skill, and an unbreakable passion for the fighting game community.
Gameplay
Arslan’s Style
Arslan Ash’s style is often described as calm and lowkey. He plays with his opponents’ nerves, keeping his composure under the pressure of finals and large crowds. Rather than locking into one character, he experiments and switches until he finds the one that feels most natural, focusing on how the character evolves in his hands. This adaptability makes him unpredictable and hard to counter.
Interestingly, he has now become strongly associated with Nina, a character he has used to secure more victories than anyone else, further cementing his reputation as one of Tekken’s most versatile champions.
Atif’s Style
Atif Butt’s style is aggressive and fearless. He overwhelms opponents with sharp moves and lightning-fast actions, often turning his enemy’s character into pulp under relentless pressure. He frequently uses characters like Anna, Jin, and Dragunov to deliver this punishing style.
Known as a fearsome competitor, Atif thrives on momentum; once he gains control, he dismantles his rivals with speed and precision. This intensity, combined with his ability to sustain pressure throughout a match, makes him one of the most dangerous and dominant players in the Tekken scene.
Arslan Ash – Career Highlights
- 7× EVO Champion
- Tekken World Tour Champion 2023
- Defeated the world’s best, including legends from South Korea, in finals, defeated CBM
- Other Major Wins
- CEO 2021 Champion
- Combo Breaker titles
- Multiple regional and invitational victories
- Recognition
- Featured in Red Bull’s documentary “The Story of Arslan Ash, King of Tekken.“
- Widely credited with putting Pakistan’s Tekken scene on the global map
- At the Esports World Cup 2025, Arslan Ash secured 14th position and earned $20,000 in prize money.
Atif Butt – Career Highlights
- Tekken World Tour Champion 2022
- Defeated JeonDDing in the grand finals to claim the world title.
- IESF World Champion 2023
- Represented Pakistan and secured victory on the global stage.
- Tokyo Tekken Masters 2019 Winner
- Shocked the international scene by defeating top Japanese and Korean players with Akuma.
- CEO 2025 Tekken 8 Champion
- Dominated the competition with his aggressive style and versatile character pool defeating Ulsan in the Finals.
- Other Notable Wins
- Consistent victories against elite players such as Knee, Ulsan, and Chikurin in various tournaments.
- Helped Pakistan win the Gamers8 Tekken Nations Cup 2024, defeating South Korea alongside Arslan Ash and Khan.
- Atif Butt finished 12th at the Esports World Cup 2025, two ranks above Arslan Ash, and took home $27,500 in prize money.
Their Friendship
Arslan Ash and Atif Butt have risen as nation’s brightest Tekken stars. Their journeys, built on modest beginnings and relentless dedication (practicing together for continuous 10 to 12 hours or more for the event), have carried them to international fame since 2019. Training side by side and traveling together, their bond is reflected both in competition and beyond.
Though they often face each other as fierce rivals, their friendship endures; victories are celebrated with warm embraces, reminding the world that they are not just competitors, but brothers in the journey. As Arslan said on his X account after winning EVO Championship against Atif in 2024: ‘Despite the rivalry, I believe we can both win more tournaments together.’
As their careers continue to unfold, one thing is certain: their friendship and passion will keep inspiring the next generation of esports champions. Yup! Absolutely.
