Cobra Kai season 6 has set up a lot of great fights for the show’s final outing, from old rivalries to battles between villains to friendly match-ups.
As Cobra Kai season 6 brings the series to a close, there is still a slew of major match-ups on the horizon. When Cobra Kai began life as a YouTube show about Johnny Lawrence from the Karate Kid movies, it would have been hard to predict just how popular the series would become in the years that followed. Cobra Kai was soon picked up by Netflix and went from a cult hit to a full-blown phenomenon. Now entering its sixth and final season, Cobra Kai is set to leave an even better critical legacy than its movie franchise predecessor.
The show’s popularity and acclaim are well-earned as there are a lot of things Cobra Kai does even better than the Karate Kid movies. The long-form storytelling of television allows the show to deepen the characters and their rivalries, and the fights are more dynamic and ambitious than anything from the original movie series. However, the melodramatic plotting of Cobra Kai does leave many stories open-ended. Like the chapters that came before it, season 5 set up numerous major rivalries but left them unresolved, which means these highly anticipated brawls will define Cobra Kai’s season 6 story.
7. Johnny Lawrence vs. Daniel LaRusso —The Rematch
Obviously, the most exciting fight in Cobra Kai season 6 will be Johnny Lawrence’s face-off against his old rival, Daniel LaRusso. When Cobra Kai originally began, the show’s entire purpose was to offer an alternative view of The Karate Kid’s one-dimensional villain Johnny Lawrence. Now, after five years and endless double crosses, Johnny and Daniel have become uneasy allies. This makes the prospect of Cobra Kai season 6 revisiting The Karate Kid’s ending all the more interesting. A deeply flawed anti-hero, Johnny has grown a lot, but it remains to be seen if he can defeat Daniel in a fair match.
If Johnny loses to Daniel, he’ll likely take it poorly, given just how much his life hinges on martial arts. However, if Johnny beats Daniel, this could canonically undo Karate Kid’s original triumphant ending. The revelation that Johnny went on to beat Daniel years later could leave a sour taste, meaning there’s almost no way for Cobra Kai season 6 to find a satisfying ending to this enduring rivalry. Of course, this tension makes the prospect of Johnny and Daniel’s rematch all the more intriguing as it’s near-impossible to guess how the series will leave its central rivalry.
6. Terry Silver vs. John Kreese
Both Terry Silver and John Kreese were great villains in the early seasons of Cobra Kai, though Silver proved significantly more dangerous and effective than Kreese over time. Kreese predicted Cobra Kai’s ending years ago, but it was Silver who got the drop on the villain when he framed him for Stingray’s assault and got him sent to prison. This villain vs. villain match-up could make Kreese a comparative good guy as Johnny’s former trainer fights to clear his name and exact revenge. However, the brawl could also result in the two villains burying their beef and teaming up against Johnny and Daniel. No matter the outcome, it’s likely to be a pivotal battle.
5. Eli vs. Miguel
Eli and Miguel could both justifiably represent their dojo in Cobra Kai season 6. While Miguel seems to be the more technically proficient fighter, Eli has consistently proven himself in recent seasons, stepping up when his rival was injured. Ever since Miguel injured his back while performing a flying kick, thus giving Eli a path to the final, the pair have not had a proper face-off. Miguel was Cobra Kai’s original main character, but the show’s focus has shifted away from him recently. As such, these two need to spar once more to definitively determine who’s the dojo’s top prospect.
4. Chris vs. Mitch
Mitch’s betrayal of the dojo undid all the work he put into repairing his friendship with Chris over the last few years. On the plus side, however, his duplicitousness also reignited one of Cobra Kai’s longest-running rivalries. These old enemies should face off in the final season, allowing Chris to seek revenge on Mitch on behalf of the dojo. There’s no better way for Chris to confront his former friend over his deceitful conduct than in the ring. The only question is whether this match will take place as part of a legitimate tournament or if the bout will see the pair get into an unsanctioned brawl.
3. Sam vs. Tory
Cobra Kai has gotten a lot of mileage out of Sam and Tory’s heated rivalry over the years. Given that they’re on the same side, the show might continue to depict the pair as friends — even though this would be a disservice to their complicated shared history. The last time these two long-time rivals faced off, Terry Silver handed Tory the win. In season 6, however, they could fight a fair rematch. Like Eli and Miguel’s showdown, Sam and Tory’s fight could culminate in determining, once and for all, who is best suited to represent the dojo.
2. Daniel LaRusso vs. Julie Pierce
Admittedly, it’s a little unlikely that Hilary Swank’s Julie Pierce will appear in Cobra Kai season 6. However, it would be deeply satisfying to see both of Mr. Miyagi’s pupils face off and decide who lays claim to the title of “Karate Kid.” There are a lot of potential avenues that would allow Cobra Kai to introduce Pierce to its story, but the bigger question is whether Swank would be game to revisit one of her less well-received roles. If the actor does appear in Cobra Kai season 6, Julie and Daniel are pretty much obligated to show off their skills in a match-up.
1. Johnny Lawrence vs. Terry Silver
Daniel’s triumphant win against Terry Silver didn’t make up for Silver’s earlier defeat of Johnny, which he achieved via a sly sneak attack. Johnny could cement his redemption by finally defeating the Karate Kid III villain in a fair fight — a victory that could also take the sting out of Johnny’s potential loss to Daniel in their long-awaited rematch. Over the years, Johnny’s bullish attitude has cost him dearly. If Cobra Kai season 6’s anti-hero finally embraces the inner peace at the center of martial arts philosophy, he might finally be able to beat the arrogant, violent machismo that Silver represents.
