The Marvel Universe is full of talented fighters. It's the bare minimum needed to thrive in a universe populated by characters possessing immeasurable powers. Naturally, here, we're going to focus primarily on characters with few or no powers. Characters who make up for their lack of power with impressive hand-to-hand combat skills.
20) Deadpool
Deadpool is very strong in hand-to-hand combat. He knows a huge number of fighting techniques and is proficient in many martial arts. In hand-to-hand combat, he is practically unplayable. So why is he so low in the rankings? Well, because Deadpool is immortal. Thanks to his regenerative powers, he can charge headfirst into the fray without worrying about the mortal injuries he might suffer. So, of course, it's a little easier for him to handle his fights. And thanks to his powers, he has much more brutal methods than the other characters on this list. Which paradoxically makes him a less good fighter than the others, because of his lack of subtlety. In fact, he can literally defeat every character on this list with his powers (since he can't die), but each time, it will be painful and after suffering a series of crushing defeats... Hence his last place.
19) Crossbones
Played by Frank Grillo in the MCU, Crossbones hasn't had enough screen time to really exist. A recurring antagonist in the Captain America universe, he is nevertheless an excellent hand-to-hand combatant. Very physical, yet without powers, he's a survivor.
18) The Punisher
Well, Frank Castle still needs a terrifying arsenal to practice his profession as a vigilante. Without his weapons, the Punisher is certainly not at the level of the other characters in the top. But overall, Frank masters all fighting styles. He's an excellent shot, he excels in handling bladed weapons, and overall he's fearless. Completely brainless, this makes him a formidable and unpredictable hand-to-hand combatant.
17) Clint Barton
Our famous archer is often underestimated. It must be said that he is undoubtedly the weakest Avengers in the troop. But in addition to being the best archer on the planet, Clint Barton knows how to fight. He also knows many methods of hand-to-hand combat. And in Endgame, after his family disappeared following Thanos's Snap, he is no longer responsible for anything as Ronin.
16) The Kingpin
Wilson Fisk has no powers, yet he possesses immeasurable strength. This colossus, played by the immense Vincent d'Onofrio, is capable of breaking the spine, with his bare hands, of most of the characters on this list. He regularly gives the Man Without Fear a hard time, who is simply one of the best fighters in the MCU.
15) Echo
If Daredevil is blind, Echo is deaf. A sort of miniature version of Matt Murdock, Maya Lopez is an extremely skilled fighter. She has stood up to Clint Barton, the Kingpin, and Daredevil and came out alive every time. We're not saying she's the best, but still...
14) Yelena Belova
A member of the Thunderbolts and the Marvel Universe's new Black Widow, Yelena Belova was trained by the Red Room. And like all Red Room fighters, she's a tough cookie. She's extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but she often takes a beating. Less efficient than Natasha Romanoff, she should nevertheless not be underestimated.
13) Elektra
She lasts a few rounds against Daredevil, she has a real ease with bladed weapons, very agile and very gifted in close combat, Elektra is a formidable opponent. But as talented as she is, it wasn't enough against Bullseye in the movie with Ben Affleck...
12) Bullseye
Bullseye is arguably the best aim in the entire Marvel Universe. Even better than Clint Barton at never missing his target, he's also an excellent hand-to-hand fighter. He proved this by standing up to Daredevil in the recent series Daredevil: Born Again and by assassinating Elektra in the 2003 film.
11) Sam Wilson
It's not for nothing that Sam Wilson became the new Captain America. The former Falcon is a military man, a talented fighter, with unfailing resilience. In Brave New World alone, he proved his fighting skills, out of costume, by holding off Sidewinder. And then, he still faced a Hulk.
10) Bucky Barnes
Bucky, whether he's in the role of the Winter Soldier or not, has already shown his skills in the MCU. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier , he's on equal terms with Steve Rogers. In Civil War, he faces Black Panther in single combat. In Thunderbolts, he manages to overpower Red Guardian, Yelena, U.S. Agent, and Ghost all by himself. What more can I say?
9) Black Panther
Whether it's T'Challa or Shuri, the Black Panthers are trained to kill. Even though T'Challa is even better than his sister at hand-to-hand combat, the protectors of Wakanda are capable of handling just about any threat. Protected by the influence of the Panther God, the Black Panthers can rival skilled fighters like Captain America or Daredevil.
8) Okoye
Okoye has basically taught T'Challa everything. Members of the King of Wakanda's inner circle, Okoye and her Dora Milajes are outstanding fighters, with total self-sacrifice and skills well above average.
7) Steve Rogers
Of course, it's easier for Steve Rogers. The latter, aided by his super-soldier serum, is capable of facing characters far more powerful than him. He has proven this time and time again, notably against Thanos himself. Anyway, he's said it enough times in the past: "He can do this all day long."
6) Black Widow
She's the ultimate killer. She was trained for just that: to assassinate. Also a member of the Red Room before becoming an Avenger, she's a talented fighter with a total adaptability. Her moral values make her a pure and hard-core heroine, whose redemption has been complete. And in Iron Man 2, she shows off her hand-to-hand combat skills against Tony Stark and Happy Hogan.
5) Daredevil
Matt Murdock is the ultimate hand-to-hand combatant. Quick and agile, he has no powers, not even a lethal weapon at his disposal. And yet, he beats most of his competitors. Aided by his over-developed senses, he compensates for his blindness with his comprehensive fighting techniques.
4) Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi is the master of martial arts. A specialist in kung fu, he notably demonstrated his fighting skills in the film by Destin Daniel Cretton, notably in the sublime bus sequence, magnificently choreographed. We can't wait to see him in action again.
3) Taskmaster
The power of Taskmaster is precisely to be the best fighter. Indeed, whether in the comics or in the MCU, the Taskmaster has the ability to learn, remember, and reproduce all of his opponents' movements. Once he observes a fighting technique, whatever it may be, he is able to reproduce it to perfection. Which logically makes Taskmaster the ultimate hand-to-hand fighter. And this despite the fact that the character is completely underutilized in the MCU...
2) Iron Fist
Iron Fist is Shang-Chi at his best. He has the same attributes as his friend, the same martial arts knowledge. But he has one little something extra compared to his colleague: an iron point. While learning the arts of combat in the secret and mystical city of K'un-Lun, Danny Rand possesses a shattering punch, capable of destroying just about anything in his path. Useful against supers.
1) Spider-Man
Well, here again, Spidey is helped by his superpowers. It's obvious that it's easier to fight when you have super strength, a spider-sense, and extremely resistant webs. Ultra-agile, very fast, very strong, Peter Parker is also a formidable opponent in close combat. In Civil War alone, he shows Bucky, Sam Wilson, T'Challa, and Steve Rogers that he can defeat them without too much trouble.
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