Announcing a hiatus, Melee pro Jason ‘Mew2King’ Zimmerman says he regrets posting the now-viral photos and would have taken a step back if he believed the community was at risk. Super Smash Bros. Melee pro Jason Zimmerman, better known as “Mew2King,” was scheduled to appear at the Xtreme Fighters Showdown in Austin this weekend. That was until yesterday, when event staff decided to ban Zimmerman from appearing at the last minute. The decision came after concern over a viral post by the player. Asking fans about the sores on his arms and legs, other attendees became increasingly anxious that Zimmerman would spread bed bugs during the competition. “For the security of our event, XFS 2026, we have politely informed Mew2King,” event staff posted, “he does not [be] “I will be able to participate or attend our event this weekend due to a self-reported health issue.” In a now-deleted post, Zimmerman asked the public to help clear up health anxiety on Thursday. Covered in red, swollen marks, he was convinced he had been bitten by fleas from a housemate’s cat, although others suggested the bites were due to a bedbug infestation. I made a post about my thoughts on things. Well, I’m turning off replies because of the kinds of mean messages a lot of people have sent me that I don’t want to see or deal with. I won’t be streaming or present for a while (maybe weeks, I don’t know). Thanks to those who care, I appreciate ithttps://t.co/kJsNRn4jsz — Jason Zimmerman (@MVG_Mew2King) October 17, 2026″[I] I had like a hundred of these on my body 2 months ago,” Zimmerman posted. “I eat my whole body. This isn’t even close to the worst picture, not even close.” He went on to explain that the bites had been recurring and that was half the reason he was considering moving to California from Ohio. Whatever the cause, Xtreme Fighters Showdown took steps to prevent other guests from suffering the same thing. Despite stereotypes about the Smash Bros. community, everyone who avoids sidewalk mattresses will attest that bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. Capable of hiding in the seams of clothing and furniture and transmitting to new guests. Although it is not the end of the world, it can be an ordeal to remove them from a house once infested. Other competitors have come to Zimmerman’s defense after the ridicule.[Please] have some grace and don’t bully another community member into further deteriorating mentally,” Team Liquid co-owner Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma posted. “He relies on the few friends he has to be able to live anywhere, and often those living conditions aren’t ideal. They told him he shouldn’t go to the event, he listened and agreed.” Zimmerman has since responded to the ban, regretting the initial post and saying the photos were being exaggerated. Living in a house with 10 pets and a caregiver, he is even more certain that the bites came from something from a cat and that most of the subsequent scabs were due to his own intrusive habits. He also notes that the photo of his leg is outdated and that the situation has improved since then. He wondered if the most recent swelling in his hand was related, since he had been putting pressure on his fingers from the practice. He adds that if he really felt he was putting the community at risk, he would have resigned rather than cause outrage. “I feel like I could never have said anything and been okay,” Zimmerman wrote in a statement. “It makes me think about how many people could have a bad situation but don’t say anything stupidly in public. … For the time being, Zimmerman says he’s quitting.” from competing and streaming, and will continue to improve his health, as he said he had focused on in recent months.
