Kha Y Tran On January 27, 2026, in the Group Nirvana stage of the LPL 2026 Split 1, Ultra Prime (UP) faced off against LNG Esports (LNG) in an exciting Best of 3 series. From the very beginning, this was a crucial matchup for both teams. Therefore, each side entered the series with high pressure to perform and secure their place in the standings.
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General Draft (Ban/Pick) Analysis
First of all, LNG came into the draft extremely well-prepared with a clear game plan. From the ban/pick phase onward, LNG showed a strong preference for mid-game fighting compositions. Moreover, their lineup featured solid engage tools, a durable frontline, and powerful backline damage. As a result, their champions perfectly supported early objective control and fast snowballing.
On the other hand, UP selected a relatively safe, scaling-oriented composition. However, they lacked clear win conditions. In addition, UP had limited engage tools and insufficient protection for their main carries. Therefore, even before the games started, UP were already at a strategic disadvantage.
Detailed Match Flow
Game 1 – LNG Take Control From the Start
In the laning phase, LNG made excellent use of early rotations. Their bot lane duo applied heavy pressure, consistently forcing UP into bad positions and securing early kills. Meanwhile, UP’s bottom lane played passively and showed poor coordination, allowing LNG to snowball easily.
LNG quickly converted their advantage into early objectives such as dragons and top-side pressure, accelerating the pace of the game. By the mid game, LNG held a significant gold and kill lead thanks to a series of successful team fights, with 1xn shining as the key damage dealer in the ADC role.
UP tried to contest objectives around the dragon area but was repeatedly pushed back and failed to control vision or space effectively.
LNG Esports eventually closed out Game 1 with a convincing 14–5 scoreline, breaking through every defensive line of UP and destroying the Nexus at around the 25-minute mark. ADC 1xn finished with an outstanding KDA and played a major role in the win.
Game 2 – LNG Finish in Dominant Fashion
In Game 2, LNG maintained their proactive style. Their top–mid–jungle trio took control of the map early, leaving UP with very little room to operate in the early game. UP fell behind from the start due to losing small trades in the solo lanes, which quickly translated into a gold deficit.
As in Game 1, LNG continued to apply pressure across all areas of the map. The coordination between Croco, BuLLDoG, and 1xn created multiple key kills. LNG secured major objectives such as Dragons and Baron with ease, while UP repeatedly made mistakes in small skirmishes.
LNG Esports ended the game in brutal fashion with a 21–3 stomp in just about 28 minutes, giving UP no real chance to fight back. Their fast tempo and tight map control allowed them to close out the BO3 cleanly.
Match Highlights
- From the laning phase onward, LNG completely controlled the tempo: proactive rotations, forced fights, and objective dominance.
- LNG shut down the entire map and suffocated UP’s playstyle.
- LNG played with discipline — no reckless dives, no pointless fights.
- UP moved around the map without cohesion, failed to control river vision, and was frequently picked off before team fights.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, LNG Esports showcased total dominance with a proactive and well-coordinated team style. Therefore, Ultra Prime were left with virtually no room to respond. Ultimately, this was a crucial win for LNG in their push toward the next stage of the LPL 2026 Split 1.
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Quynh Bui 
