Hop Hop International will bring together 1,500 dancers hailing from 30 different countries, all showcasing the best they can offer in breaking, popping, locking and other styles of dance. You might think that provides plenty for the audience to watch, but as far as Matt "Dumbo" Nguyen is concerned — it's all eyes on his crew, Poreotix.

The California-based crew won the USA division of HHI last year — an impressive feat, considering they were first-time competitors in the now-nine-year-old event. At the time, the win helped silence haters who discredited the crew Season 5 victory on America's Best Dance Crew, a show decided by viewer votes via phone and text. "HHI is being decided by judges. It's really a dance competition, not a popularity contest," says Dumbo.

Returning to HHI as the reigning US champions means fans and fellow competitors are looking at them as the crew that will set the bar, or, better yet, raise it from last year's winning performance. That's a lot of weight on their shoulders, and Dumbo and the boys are feeling the pressure to be on point.

"A lot of people think we're crazy to come back and compete (at HHI). If we don't win..." says Dumbo, trailing off. "Well, we can't afford to lose. We have to win."