The 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series Main Event has crowned a new champion — Bulgaria’s Fahredin Mustafov, who conquered a world-class field of 227 entries to capture the trophy and a career-best $1,300,000 payday.
The $25,750 buy-in finale at Merit Crystal Cove created a staggering $5,504,750 prize pool, drawing elite high rollers from across the globe. In the end, Mustafov toppled Turkey’s “Kenar” in a lightning-fast heads-up match, clinching victory on the very first hand.
“Kenar” pocketed $820,000 as runner-up, while American pro Matthew Wantman completed the podium in third for $530,000.
A Career-Defining Triumph
According to The Hendon Mob, this seven-figure score marks the largest victory of Mustafov’s poker career, firmly establishing him among the game’s elite. The win also earned him critical Player of the Series points, putting the Bulgarian in strong contention for the leaderboard crown.
Celebrating with his wife, child, and close friends, Mustafov kept his winner’s speech short but heartfelt:
“My wife and my kids helped me a lot, and I’m very happy. This is my big win.”
He went on to praise Merit’s world-class atmosphere, calling the stop “super, super nice to play here” and urging poker fans:
“If you don’t come to Merit, you have to come, believe me.”
Mustafov’s Path to Glory
The final stages of the event were a rollercoaster. Mustafov’s run nearly hit turbulence when his pocket kings faced off against “Kenar’s” ace-king, but a disciplined fold kept him alive.
Momentum swung his way shortly after, eliminating Viacheslav Buldygin with ten-nine against ace-six. The pivotal hand of the tournament came against Matthew Wantman, who flopped middle set with pocket tens, only to see Mustafov’s flush complete on the turn. A gutsy river check-shove flipped the script, giving Mustafov the overwhelming chip lead.
Wantman eventually bowed out in third when his pocket nines were outdrawn by Mustafov’s six-five straight. Heads-up play barely lasted one hand — “Kenar” shoved with ace-six, but Mustafov snapped with ace-jack, and a clean board sealed the Bulgarian’s crowning achievement.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Onyx Super High Roller Series Main Event will be remembered as the moment Fahredin Mustafov broke through on the global high roller stage, taking home life-changing money, international recognition, and the most prestigious title of his career.
With his confidence soaring and family by his side, Mustafov summed it up best:
“This is my big win.”
$25,750 Onyx SHRS Main Event – Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahredin Mustafov | Bulgaria | $1,300,000 |
| 2 | Kenar | Turkey | $820,000 |
| 3 | Matthew Wantman | United States | $530,000 |
| 4 | Aren Bezhanyan | Armenia | $420,000 |
| 5 | Viacheslav Buldygin | Russia | $315,000 |
