Summary
Miguel Diaz vs. Kenny Payne: With both fighters becoming more formidable, a one-on-one fight between Miguel and Kenny is likely in the cards.
Chozen Toguchi and John Kreese are set to confront one another, with Chozen taking on the role of protector for the LaRusso family against Kreese's vengeful intentions.
Anticipation is high for a matchup between Johnny Lawrence and Mike Barnes, as both are known for their rebellious nature and possess similar fighting techniques, making the outcome unpredictable.
Despite numerous epic matchups throughout the years, Cobra Kai still has a few yet to occur. Every major character has faced multiple challengers in the series. For example, Daniel has already fought Johnny, Kreese, Terry Silver, and Chozen.
Considering this, it is logical to assume that Cobra Kai's final season will focus on rematches, reigniting old rivalries and unresolved conflicts. However, the show is not limited to this concept alone to drive its action. There are characters in the series who have not yet engaged in physical combat, for various reasons. When the six-season story concludes, the show can explore these matchups. Here are six fights that must take place in Cobra Kai.
6 Miguel Diaz vs. Kenny Payne
5 Chozen Toguchi vs. John Kreese
Once a noticeable gap separated Miguel and Kenny, but as the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that Terry Silver's favored student has developed into an incredibly formidable fighter. The flawless execution of the Silver Bullet move, which defeated Eli, the reigning champion of the boys division at the All Valley Tournament, serves as undeniable proof. Considering the ambitious influence instilled by Terry Silver, it would not be surprising if Kenny eventually challenges Miguel to a one-on-one confrontation. Although the conflict between the dojos has concluded, it would make logical sense for further competitions of this nature, particularly with the upcoming Sekai Taikai event drawing near.
It's interesting to note that two of Cobra Kai's most capable adult fighters have yet to cross paths, but the possibility of a showdown in season 6 is very likely. During the majority of season 5, Kreese was imprisoned, which means he might not be aware of Chozen's presence in the Valley and his involvement in the fight against Silver. However, this will change soon if and when Kreese seeks vengeance against Daniel. As the self-appointed protector of the LaRusso family, Chozen is likely to be the one who intervenes between Kreese and Daniel when the villain puts his plans into action.
4 Johnny Lawrence vs. Mike Barnes
The interaction between Chozen and Kreese is bound to captivate viewers, as both possess impressive combat skills and abundant talent. In addition, Kreese is likely to be taken aback by Chozen's warrior spirit, just as Silver was. Up until now, Kreese has shown little regard for Miyagi-do Karate and Daniel's principles, making Chozen an unexpected adversary for him in Cobra Kai season 6.
Since joining the series, Mike Barnes has tested his mettle against fellow Karate Kid antagonist Chozen and various minions of Terry Silver. However, there is still an abundance of untapped potential for the character's fighting abilities. One of the most intriguing matchups for Mike Barnes lies in a confrontation with Johnny. Mike, previously known as "the bad boy of karate," shares strong parallels with Johnny in both the franchise and their fighting styles. His impressive display against Chozen serves as evidence that his skills remain formidable, therefore warranting more opportunities for fights in season 6.
3 John Kreese vs. Terry Silver
It is uncertain who would emerge victorious in a confrontaion between these two individuals. Although Barnes initiated a brief attack against him in season 5, the situation never escalated enough to result in a full-blown altercation. The fact that there is no clear frontrunner in a hypothetical clash between Mike Barnes and Johnny Lawrence adds to the allure and anticipation surrounding the possibility of their confrontation.
The rivalry between Kreese and Silver reached its peak in the season 4 finale of Cobra Kai, as Silver cunningly framed Kreese for attacking Stingray. Ever since that unfortunate incident, their animosity has only intensified. However, with Kreese now behind bars, their bitter feud has been put on hold. When Cobra Kai makes its much-anticipated return, it is only fitting that Silver, the very person responsible for Kreese's predicament, becomes his primary target. Unless Silver meets a similar fate, he will undoubtedly be present, setting the stage for an epic showdown between these adversaries in the show's climactic chapters.
As for who would win, Silver’s previous victories over Johnny and Daniel give him the upper hand. However, Kreese’s determination and thirst for revenge position him to be even more merciless than ever before. Moreover, Silver might have lost his edge after being separated from Cobra Kai and failing to defeat Daniel in a rematch. His mindset could be a drawback in a confrontation with Kreese, whereas Martin Kove’s character should be highly motivated and fully prepared for the most significant fight of his life.
2 Johnny Lawrence vs. Chozen Toguchi
After welcoming Chozen into the mix, Cobra Kai wasted no time showcasing his skills compared to Daniel, even decades after their initial showdown in The Karate Kid Part II. Season 5 also saw him go head to head with Silver. However, despite their close association, a clash between the two Karate Kid villains has yet to occur. While it can be assumed that Chozen is the superior fighter, given his effortless victory over Daniel in season 3, recent developments have raised questions about the power dynamics in the series. When they joined forces against one of Kim Da-Eun's senseis, they appeared evenly matched. Additionally, in the season 5 finale, Johnny proved himself capable of taking on multiple Cobra Kai senseis simultaneously.
1 Daniel LaRusso vs. Mike Barnes
Johnny's character may have undergone a significant transformation throughout the course of the series, potentially making him a formidable adversary for Chozen in the sixth season. Although they currently share a harmonious relationship, their competitive natures may lead them to challenge one another in order to definitively determine the superior fighter. In a hypothetical scenario, the two could engage in a sparring match as an instructive demonstration for their students, ultimately preparing them for the forthcoming Sekai Taikai.
Daniel has defeated every major villain from The Karate Kid trilogy except for one - Mike Barnes, played by Sean Kanan. Although Daniel emerged victorious in their previous encounter in The Karate Kid Part III, it is important to acknowledge that Mike's defeat was a result of his own flawed strategy. Silver instructed Mike to maintain a tied score until the end, leading him to intentionally hold back during most of the fight. Consequently, Mike lost the match despite being a more skilled fighter than Daniel. This raises the question of whether Daniel can truly defeat Mike solely based on his own abilities. Considering Mike's formidable display against Chozen, it is uncertain if Daniel would come out victorious if they were to face each other again. Unless Cobra Kai orchestrates their confrontation in season 6, this remains an unanswered question.