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Comedy-drama series Cobra Kai gave a new life to the classic Karate Kid franchise. The show aired in 2018 and reimagined the decades-spanning feud between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. It is set years after their fateful encounter at the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament when they were teen arch-enemies. Cobra Kai gained fame for its compelling storytelling, high-octane martial arts, and complex portrayal of character development.
Set in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Johnny is now pushing fifty. The guy is seeking purpose and redemption, and gets this idea to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo. Naturally, this sets off World War Karate with Daniel, our OG underdog, who is now living the suburban dad dream, selling cars and still following the wise lessons of his old teacher, Mr. Miyagi.
So, Johnny and Daniel both become karate teachers (senseis), and their fight starts again. What kicks off as a grudge match between two men stuck in the past quickly drags in a whole new crew of teens. You’ve got Miguel, the sweet kid who just wants to stand up to bullies, Robby (Johnny’s son), Samantha (Daniel’s daughter), Eli “Hawk”, and Tory. They all find themselves caught between the dueling philosophies of Cobra Kai’s "strike first" mentality and Miyagi-Do’s "balance and defense."
But Cobra Kai isn’t just about throwing hands. It digs into what happens when people don’t move on, how old wounds get passed down, how pride screws everything up, and how even the “bad guys” have baggage. Johnny has got layers in his personality, and Daniel is not just a goody-two-shoes anymore. The villains from back in the day (Kreese, Silver, even Chozen) show up, but they’ve all gotten a little more complicated (and a lot more unhinged).
Cobra Kai nails that sweet spot of high-flying kicks and emotional punches. The fight scenes are legit, you’re not going to see someone flip a guy through a window every episode, but when it happens, it’s awesome. And the show has a rabid fanbase that’ll argue for hours over who’d win in a street fight or which dojo would work IRL.
Cobra Kai has got heart, humor, and just enough cheese to remind you it’s all rooted in an ‘80s karate flick. It has racked up awards, pulled in fans from Gen X to Gen Z, and has people losing their minds over fighter rankings on Reddit. So, who’s the real top dog in the Valley? Stick around, because we are about to break down the ten best fighters in Cobra Kai, and finally settle who’s the baddest black belt around.
This article reflects the writer's personal opinions. Reader discretion is advised.
The top 10 Cobra Kai fighters: Ranked
Johnny Lawrence
Johnny is the heart and soul of Cobra Kai. He started as the washed-up ex-champ, but then he flipped the script and reinvented himself, switched up his fighting style, and more. He is not just some nostalgia act; Johnny throws down with anyone in street fights, tournaments, you name it. He has gone toe-to-toe with absolute beasts, Sensei Wolf, Terry Silver, and even Kreese for a minute there. And even though Johnny is pushing “dad age,” he is still wrecking teenagers and grown fighters at the Sekai Taikai. Most fans and experts call him the most complete fighter in the show.
People who know their stuff almost always have Johnny at the top for sheer grit, skill, and brains. Martial arts folks say he feels legit, and netizens love him for being a street brawler with a ton of heart.
Miguel Diaz
If Cobra Kai had a poster kid for the new era, it’s Miguel. He is the first Cobra Kai champ once Netflix took over, plus he snagged the Sekai Taikai title too. This guy is not just a tournament machine; he has handled some gnarly street beef, survived a crazy injury, and still came out swinging. By the end of Season 6, Miguel is the most solid, well-rounded young guy in the whole series. Kid is tough but still has that balance of Cobra Kai fire and Miyagi-Do cool.
Even the show’s co-creator, Hayden Schlossberg, calls him the top teen fighter. Scroll through Social media and you’ll see fans hyping up Miguel’s growth, his underdog energy, and how he blends those two dojos’ styles.
Tory Nichols
Tory is an absolute beast. She brings this wild, technical aggression to every match, but she also has this fire; she is fighting for something bigger than herself. Two-time All-Valley champ, took the Sekai Taikai for the girls, and just keeps leveling up. She has beaten some serious international talent, and by the time the show wraps, nobody has topped her among the female fighters.
Critics consistently place her near the top, largely due to her clutch performances and the significant improvement she has shown. Martial arts creators and fans talk her up big time, especially after seeing her keep her cool and dominate in the finals.
Robby Keene
Robby has got the bloodline, he’s Johnny’s kid, and he mixes Miyagi-Do’s chill with Cobra Kai’s aggression. It’s a dangerous combo. He’s always in the mix at tournaments, even if he keeps just missing the big win (usually because of some bad luck or injuries). But if you want a guy who can do it all, tournaments, street fights, whatever, Robby is your man. Some say he’s the most balanced fighter out there.
Show writers and experts keep him in their top four, and fans always mention how Robby can flip between styles. In fact, his fights with Miguel and Hawk are legendary.
Axel Kovačević
Axel showed up in Season 6 and just started wrecking shop. He is the captain of the Iron Dragons, super intense, all brute force. The guy beat both Miguel and Kwon in raw fights. He is scary-good, one of the only “villain” fighters who felt like a real threat. Sure, Miguel beat him in the end, but Axel left his mark.
Critics call him one of the best teen fighters ever to show up in the series, and fans ate up his “bad guy champion” vibe. It is safe to say that he turned the whole tournament into a war zone.
Kwon
Here’s Kwon, the Iron Dragons’ main guy from overseas. He can be placed as Axel’s equal, just without the big trophy case. He has got a mix of martial arts under his belt and can throw down in singles or team matches. The only thing missing is that Sekai Taikai crown. He’s living rent-free in the top-5 lists from co-creator Hayden Schlossberg and the writers.
Cobra Kai fans love how he’s always on point, never really slips up, and he’s got a bag of tricks that’s just deep.
Daniel LaRusso
He is the OG Karate Kid. He might not jump into every tournament these days, but don’t let that fool you. When it’s go time, Daniel still brings it, especially when he took down Terry Silver in that epic showdown. The Crane Kick is still iconic. Plus, he has mentored a bunch of champs, so his fingerprints are all over the next generation.
Commentators treat him like royalty for mixing old-school and new-school moves, and fans call him the “tactician.”
Chozen Toguchi
Toguchi is a tough Okinawan karate master from Karate Kid II. He is the wild card; he has that old-school power, and some moves make you wonder if they are even legal. He is one of the rare few who can square up with guys like Terry Silver or Sensei Wolf and not blink.
Critics and fans both call him the unpredictable beast, just a notch below the top dogs. Netizens are always hyping up his teaching style and the way he teams up with Daniel and Johnny.
Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz
Hawk went from bullied nerd to mohawked All-Valley champ, probably the biggest transformation in Cobra Kai. He is flashy, smart, and can pull out wild combos nobody sees coming. Even when he stops dominating, he’s still a force in both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai.
Schlossberg himself places Hawk in the top five teens, which is saying something, and fans love his creativity and his refusal to quit.
Sensei Wolf (Feng Xiao)
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Wolf shows up late in the game but comes in hot, three-time Sekai Taikai champ and undefeated until Johnny clocks him. That Shaolin Sunset kick is of legendary status. But he gets too cocky, refuses to switch up his style, and Johnny takes him down.
Experts love breaking down his martial arts skills. On social media, everyone talks about how much tension he brings; people either love to hate him or just hate him, period.
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