Shocking Upsets: Unforgettable Moments When the Underdog Took Down Karate Legends in Cobra Kai & The Karate Kid Movies

Summary

Skill and experience don't guarantee a win in Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid. It's about spirit and perseverance.

Mike Barnes and other characters often resort to cheating or taking advantage of unfair circumstances, proving that the superior fighter does not always emerge victorious. In contrast, Daniel LaRusso's triumphs can be attributed to his indomitable spirit and the unwavering support of Mr. Miyagi, rather than solely relying on his technical prowess.

In Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid, battles and sparring matches are common, but the victor is not always the superior fighter. This concept was initially introduced in the first Karate Kid film when Daniel LaRusso, an inexperienced underdog, emerged as the champion. The message conveyed was not that he was the most skilled fighter, but rather that his indomitable spirit, determination, and goodness propelled him to victory. Conversely, in certain situations, such as in Cobra Kai, the less proficient fighter has won through cheating or exploiting other advantages. Ultimately, this demonstrates that mastery and years of experience do not guarantee a triumph.

The upcoming sixth season of Cobra Kai on Netflix will mark the series' conclusion and the resolution of several long-standing rivalries among the characters. Most notably, Johnny and Daniel will likely engage in a final showdown to determine who is the superior fighter at this point in their lives. Additionally, viewers anticipate a climactic clash between John Kreese and Johnny Lawrence, as they have yet to settle their decades-old conflict that originated in The Karate Kid. Considering Cobra Kai's track record of defying expectations, it is uncertain how these battles will unfold, as the better fighter has not always emerged as the winner.

7 Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence - The Karate Kid

Undoubtedly, Daniel LaRusso emerged as the rightful hero in The Karate Kid. Guided by Mr. Miyagi, he consistently adhered to fair play—an attribute that cannot be attributed to Johnny Lawrence and the Cobra Kai dojo. Similarly, in Netflix's Cobra Kai, the founder of the karate school struggled to comply with rules and instilled a mentality of no mercy and preemptive strikes in his students. While this approach raises ethical concerns, it cannot be denied that it produces formidable students, with Johnny being a prime example.

In contrast, Daniel was a complete beginner. He had only been under Mr. Miyagi's tutelage for a relatively brief period when he participated in the All-Valley Tournament. Without any formal belt ranking and minimal experience in sparring, Daniel's skill level was unquestionably inferior. However, it made his triumph in the original Karate Kid film all the more gratifying. The essence of the battle lay not in physical prowess, but rather in Daniel's innate spirit.

6 Daniel LaRusso vs. Mike Barnes - The Karate Kid Part 3

Mike Burnes returned to Cobra Kai in season 5, this time serving as an ally to Daniel against Terry Silver. However, this was a stark contrast to their previous encounter in The Karate Kid Part III. Barnes proved to be a ruthless and brutal opponent, surpassing even Johnny's aggression from the first film. During their final battle, Daniel struggled to defend himself against Barnes' relentless speed, leaving him little opportunity to counter or block.

Despite ultimately achieving victory, Daniel was only able to score one out of his three points against Barnes. Silver had instructed his top Cobra Kai student to maintain a tie until the very end, leading Barnes to purposefully break the rules and force penalties against Daniel. This strategy worked in Barnes' favor, as the inferior fighter only needed to summon courage and execute a single impactful move to claim victory.

5 Daniel LaRusso vs. Chozen - Cobra Kai Season 3

In The Karate Kid Part II, Daniel and Chozen were evenly matched and both ended up battered and exhausted. However, Daniel was able to execute a move, inspired by Mr. Miyagi, that shifted the balance in his favor. In Cobra Kai, Chozen had become a distant memory until a chance encounter with Daniel in Japan during season 3.

When given the same tools and knowledge, Daniel proves to be superior to Chozen, as seen in the original Karate Kid movies. However, when they are reunited in Cobra Kai season 3, Chozen possesses knowledge of Miyagi techniques that Daniel does not. Despite this disadvantage, Daniel manages to hold his ground until Chozen disables both of his arms using a technique specifically designed to defeat stronger opponents. Once Daniel learns this skill, he once again establishes himself as the better fighter.

4 Robby Keene vs. Miguel Diaz - Cobra Kai Season 3

The school fight in Cobra Kai season 3 remains one of the most memorable battles in the series. It was a chaotic confrontation between the Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do students, with no rules, regulations, referees, or judges to maintain order. As expected, this quickly escalated into a dangerous situation. It all started when Tory and Sam clashed, with Tory being armed. Miguel and Robby then joined in, fueled by their rivalry. After Robby pushed Miguel off the balcony in a fit of rage, he won the fight, but his victory was tainted by the fact that Miguel ended up in a coma. Robby felt remorse for his actions, realizing that his win was undeserved and unnecessary. Fortunately, they have since reconciled and moved past their differences.

3 Robby Keene vs. Hawk - Cobra Kai Season 4

Eli, known by his nickname Hawk, has undergone a significant transformation in Cobra Kai. Initially, he was a socially targeted and marginalized individual, but his path took a dark turn once he joined Cobra Kai and became a formidable force. Realizing the detrimental effects of Kreese's toxic teachings, he switched sides and aligned with Miyagi-Do. In Cobra Kai season 4, he faced off against Robby, resulting in a closely contested match that ended in Hawk's victory.

Despite Hawk's triumph, Robby is widely regarded as one of the series' strongest fighters. He benefited from extensive one-on-one training in both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai, allowing him to excel in both offensive and defensive techniques. However, in his match against Hawk, Robby's performance suffered due to his emotional turmoil towards his father, Daniel, and himself. Consequently, he was unable to tap into the peace and balance that he had previously mastered under Daniel's guidance.

2 Hawk vs. Kenny Payne - Cobra Kai Season 5

Kenny Payne initially received support from Robby and was seen as a likeable character. However, being exposed to the toxic environment of Cobra Kai caused him to take a negative turn, becoming a nuisance for Miyagi-Do. Though he joined the dojo later than others, he impressively earned a prominent position, albeit due to the absence of Robby and Miguel.

During the Sekai Taikai qualifying match, Kenny competed against Hawk, who was older and more experienced. Realistically, Kenny should not have emerged victorious. Silver bribed the referee, resulting in unfair decisions and Hawk's points being disregarded. While Kenny will undoubtedly have a significant role in Cobra Kai season 6 and will likely continue to develop, in season 5, he did not match Hawk's level despite his win.

1 Chozen vs. Terry Silver - Cobra Kai Season 5

The fight between Chozen and Terry Silver in Cobra Kai season 5 was incredibly intense. Both skilled fighters displayed unwavering determination, almost turning the battle into a life-threatening encounter. Ultimately, Silver emerged victorious and made his way to the Cobra Kai dojo, but Daniel put him in his place in another remarkable showdown. However, it is important to note that Chozen's loss was not a result of his weakness or Silver's superiority. Once again, it all came down to unsportsmanlike conduct.

Interestingly, Chozen initially defeated Silver, which is quite impressive considering that he showed up at the man's mansion drunk. While holding Silver at bay with his sai, the distraction caused by the noise in the house gave Silver the opportunity to strike. Swiftly, he slashed Chozen's back with his katana, claiming a Cobra Kai victory that he did not truly deserve.

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