SabeRLight leaves Team Liquid on loan to AVULUS while searching for new post-TI roster

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 23/09/2025

After a soul-crushing fall from grace at The International 2025, Team Liquid’s Dota 2 team has benched Jonáš ‘SabeRLight-’ Volek. The player is now on loan to AVULUS while he searches for a new home. 

Why was SabeRLight benched, and will AVULUS be his new permanent roster?

Team Liquid’s TI 2025 struggles – the need for change

It is fair to say that Team Liquid’s run at The International 2025 was less than desirable. Despite being TI winners only a year prior, the team were unable to escape the Group Stage.

The team’s early exit made its post-TI roster reshuffle a likely expectation. 

Instead, it was Team Falcons who went on to be crowned champions at The International 2025.

After their unprecedented early elimination, Team Liquid described their 2025 TI journey as “devastating,” and promised to “be back stronger next year.”

Several comments under their post immediately identified SabeRLight as an issue within the team. Some were calling the player the “weakest link,” a “liability,” and even “grief to an otherwise mentally fortified team structure.” 

SabeRLight was not a member of the Team Liquid TI 2024 winning roster. 

After TI 2024, one of the roster’s star players and captain, Neta ‘33’ Shapira, transferred to Tundra Esports. SabeRLight joined to replace him, with captainship transferring to Michael ‘miCKe’ Vu.

Given that SabeRLight’s four teammates all formed part of the 2024 winning team, much of the blame for their 2025 failure fell to him. 

Team Liquid credits SabeRLight for his “tremendous growth, dedication, and positivity” in their farewell post announcing his benched status. Shortly after, SabeRLight announced that will be trialling on loan to AVULUS.

Interestingly, unlike on their TI 2025 exit post, Team Liquid’s announcement of SabeRLight’s departure featured many comments advocating for SabeRLight to remain on the roster. 

Clearly, in the eyes of fans who may have kept silent post-TI, he was not actually the source of the roster’s problems.  

Will SabeRLight stay at AVULUS after being benched by Team Liquid?

Following Team Liquid’s announcement, SabeRLight revealed that he will be playing in the upcoming 2025-2026 season qualifiers with the AVULUS roster. 

However, in his post, he clarifies that this is not necessarily a permanent move. 

After he plays the qualifiers, he will be deciding on a permanent home for the remainder of the season.

He also confirmed that this is not a transfer. Team Liquid is loaning him to AVULUS for this period, and he will likely make an official transfer when he has decided on his permanent home.

Despite Team Liquid’s TI 2025 performance, SabeRLight did enjoy several high-profile wins during his time on the team. These include winning BPGL Wallachia Seasons 3 and 4, as well as a win at FISSURE Universe: Episode 5.

This performance places him in good standing to find success on his new team.

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

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