Which fight was the best in Cobra Kai? Top 10 brawls ranked by intensity

Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai (Image source: Netflix)

Cobra Kai revived the old Karate Kid beef, taking it to the next level for a whole new generation. It has got all those throwbacks and wax on, wax off moments, but what makes the show pop is those insane fight scenes. The choreography is next-level, and don’t even get started on how every punch feels loaded with decades of drama. Now that we’ve finally reached the end of the saga, people have been debating about which Cobra Kai fight was the craziest of them all.

But a Cobra Kai fight isn’t just about who lands the nastiest kick. The fights are the heartbeat of the story. They’re where you see people grow, screw up, and wrestle with all that mercy vs. no-mercy, old-school vs. new-school stuff. Whether it’s a hallway smackdown, a showdown in the dojo, or the big world championship brawl, these scenes stick with you.

So, what makes a fight in Cobra Kai truly legendary? It’s the stakes, the feels, the choreography, and how much it messes with the whole story. Critics, martial arts experts, and the fanbase consistently align in their praise with the handful of epic fights, and for good reason. Some scenes just have that perfect mix of hype and meaning.

Now, we’re about to break down the 10 wildest fights in Cobra Kai history. We’re talking expert takes, fan commentary, and all the reasons this show owns the action TV game.


Best Cobra Kai fights ranked

The all-valley high school brawl (“No Mercy,” Season 2 finale)

“No Mercy” (Image via Netflix)
“No Mercy” (Image via Netflix)

If you’re talking Cobra Kai and you have to bring up the chaos that was the Season 2 school fight. This was a full-on teenage warzone because nothing was safe, be it classrooms, lockers, or stairwells. Everybody was throwing hands. The tension between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do had been bubbling up for so long, it just snapped.

The reason it is a top dog is the camera works: one minute you’re tracking a punch, next you’re whip-panning to someone getting body-slammed into a trophy case. The whole cast is in it, and you feel the panic. Alliances shift on a dime, feelings get stomped, and the fallout is devastating.

The most unforgettable part is Sam and Tory going full Mortal Kombat, Hawk turning his back on his friends (again), and Robby booting Miguel over the railing.

Experts love this thing because it looks messy and desperate, which is way more real than the usual movie kung fu ballet. Long-term damage includes Miguel in a hospital bed, Robby running from the cops, and both dojos in shambles. Cobra Kai was never the same after this.


The Sekai Taikai fiasco (“Eunjangdo,” Season 6, episode 10)

“Eunjangdo” (Image via Netflix)
“Eunjangdo” (Image via Netflix)

The Sekai Taikai throwdown is the craziest thing Cobra Kai has ever pulled off. This one takes place in Barcelona with a packed arena amid an international martial arts tournament. Then, some doping scandal blows up, someone gets the boot, and it’s total mayhem. Dojos from all over just start brawling, like the rules evaporated, and everyone is out for themselves. It’s a full-blown free-for-all, and we don’t think the show has ever gone that big or chaotic before.

The number one thing that makes it legendary is the scale. It’s like the Marvel movie of karate tournaments with random team-ups, betrayals, and every major character getting their moment.

One of the most standout moments includes Kwon going psycho with Kreese’s eunjangdo knife and killing someone. First time the show has gone there, and the stakes just shot through the roof.

Choreography-wise, they blend old-school karate with straight-up street brawling. Plus, the whole world is watching on live TV, so the embarrassment and drama are next levels.

After this, Cobra Kai isn’t just a SoCal problem; it’s infamous worldwide.


Chozen Toguchi vs. Terry Silver (“Head of the Snake,” Season 5 finale)

“Head of the Snake” (Image via Netflix)
“Head of the Snake” (Image via Netflix)

From Okinawa to Reseda, you’ve got Chozen and Silver throwing down, and it’s not just another fight. This one hits different. The stakes feel real, like, these guys have history, and you can see it in every punch. They’re not just swinging wildly; it’s all calculated, old-school, and then they whip out the katana and sai.

Now, you’re not just watching a brawl; it’s like some samurai showdown. Karate Kid diehards are eating this up, no question. The reason it slaps is that both guys are scary good, and you can tell they’ve been waiting decades for this. The weapons add this somebody is not walking away vibe, and it’s way rawer than your average dojo scuffle.

The moment to remember is when Chozen is dominating, lets his guard down, and Silver slashes his back. It’s a win, but it’s ugly.

Critics love it for the mature, almost tragic choreography. It’s not just punches and kicks; it’s two guys’ entire life stories colliding.


Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence (“Match Point,” Season 4, episode 5)

“Match Point" (Image via Netflix)
“Match Point" (Image via Netflix)

Nothing screams Cobra Kai drama like watching Johnny and Daniel go at it, again. These two can’t be in the same room without turning it into a macho showdown. Now they’re butting heads over who gets to run the whole dojo mashup? The tension is thick, and stakes have never been higher, and we are here for every messy second of it.

What makes it great is that Johnny is going all aggro, and Daniel is on his Miyagi-Do counter-game. There’s fan service everywhere: shout-outs to old moves, inside jokes, and more.

And then, it ends in a draw. These guys are destined to be frenemies forever. They start to respect each other mid-fight, but you can tell there’s still so much baggage. The double knockout is peak Cobra Kai: nobody wins, and that’s the point.


Sam LaRusso vs. Tory Nichols (“The Rise,” Season 4, episode 10)

“The Rise” (Image via Netflix)
“The Rise” (Image via Netflix)

Sam vs. Tory is the grudge match to end all grudge matches. These two have been at each other’s throats for years, and it all comes down to the All-Valley final. It’s about proving who they are.

So Sam mixes Miyagi-Do defense with Eagle Fang swagger, while Tory is Silver’s attack dog. But the twist is that the ref is rigged. Silver has greased his palm, and it screws with both girls’ heads.

The fallout from this fight changes Sam and Tory for good. Sam has to face her fears, and Tory starts wondering if “no mercy” is worth it. It’s one of the most satisfying payoffs in the series.


Robby Keene vs. Hawk (Eli Moskowitz) – (“The Rise,” Season 4, episode 10)

“The Rise” (Image via Netflix)
“The Rise” (Image via Netflix)

This fight is probably one of the most electric in the whole series. Robby has come a long way from being the angry, runaway kid, and now he is juggling Miyagi-Do calm with some Cobra Kai edge.

Hawk has gone full phoenix, from getting bullied to rocking that mohawk and finally trying to do the right thing. This final isn’t just about a trophy; it’s a giant sign flashing “growth.”

So the match itself is super tight. Robby is all about defense, making Hawk work for every point. You can almost see Hawk mixing in that raw Cobra Kai aggression with the chill, strategic moves he picked up from Miyagi-Do.

Then Robby glances over at Kenny, and that’s all Hawk needs. Still, Hawk doesn’t just luck into it; he has to dig deep and pull out some unpredictable moves.

What sells it is how both guys bring their style, and the fight choreography is genuinely sharp. Hawk looks like he’s finally forgiven himself, while Robby is left licking his wounds and figuring out who he wants to be next.


Johnny & Daniel vs. Kreese (“December 19,” Season 3 finale)

“December 19” (Image via Netflix)
“December 19” (Image via Netflix)

The whole fandom got chills watching Johnny and Daniel, the original frenemies, team up to take down Kreese. These two have spent decades at each other’s throats, and now they’re tag-teaming the big bad inside Cobra Kai itself.

Anyway, the fight is messy. Johnny goes first, and Kreese nearly puts him out for good. Daniel jumps in, and it’s on: glass, cheap shots, all-out mayhem. But the real punch in the gut is that Daniel pulls out that pressure point moves he learned from Chozen.

It’s not just about fists, it’s old wounds, revenge, trying to break out of toxic cycles. When it ends, they agree to settle things with one last tournament. It’s a truce, but it feels way more like a grown-up moment, like they’re finally past all the macho stuff.


The Mall Fight (“All In”, Season 2, episode 5)

“All In” (Image via Netflix)
“All In” (Image via Netflix)

Now THIS is the brawl that put the show on the map for a lot of people. Demetri can’t keep his mouth shut online, Hawk and his crew decide to teach him a lesson, and next thing you know, Robby and Sam are leaping over escalators.

The choreography here is just fun. Everyone’s fighting style is still rough around the edges, which makes it feel more real. Plus, it sets up who is on whose side and lets you know this show isn’t messing around with its action scenes.

This is where the Cobra Kai vs. Miyagi-Do lines get drawn in the sand. Also, it’s a perfect mashup of ‘80s nostalgia and modern teen drama.


Robby vs. Kwon (“Eunjangdo”, Season 6, episode 10)

“Eunjangdo” (Image via Netflix)
“Eunjangdo” (Image via Netflix)

Fast-forward to the world championship and Robby is basically in his final form. He is up against Kwon, who has got all the flashy kicks and international swagger you could ask for.

Robby comes in cool and collected, playing mind games and using his defense to frustrate Kwon. The guy just can’t get through. There’s a point where Robby is even fighting off Kwon and Yoon at the same time.

In the end, Robby doesn’t just bulldoze his way to victory; he is precise, calculating, and it’s satisfying to see how far he has come since his hothead days.

This win isn’t just about beating Kwon. It cements Robby as a top-tier fighter and makes the Sekai Taikai feel like the real endgame for the series.


Daniel vs. Silver (“Head of the Snake”, Season 5 finale)

“Head of the Snake” (Image via Netflix)
“Head of the Snake” (Image via Netflix)

Daniel has had enough of Silver’s cartoon-villain antics and brings the fight to Cobra Kai’s front door. There’s a full-on melee with students and senseis.

But the real meat is Daniel vs. Silver. After getting humiliated in the past, Daniel finally stands his ground. He is channeling Miyagi, but also just fighting for everything he has lost over the years. And then he busts out the crane kick. It’s the ultimate Karate Kid callback, but it lands emotionally.

Silver’s empire crumbles, Daniel gets closure, and the scene leaves you pumped. Fans and critics both loved it, and it’s one of those finales that just sticks the landing.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh