Top 3 most skilled MCU fighters

If all the MCU characters were given equal strength, speed and durability... who would be the best fighter?

No powers and no armor. Exception for those who need their power to properly function (like Daredevil's senses).

Fights would be a mix of h2h and melee weapons in an arena setting. One on one, round robin style tournament. Who would end up as the top 3?

Black Widow would rape the majority with equalized stats.
Thor is more versatile with mele weapons tho

Problem with BW is she really hasn't been tested much against quality opponents, which is why I've always been hesitant to mark her up so high.

Daredevil, Melinda May, Iron Fist

Black Widow, Melinda May, Agent Ward

Probably Stick, or Daredevil.

Elektra is actually better than Iron Fist my bad
And lol Black Widow has hardly any feats fighting skilled people

It should be noted that a number of MCU fighters have managed to match up against stronger/more durable opponents due to their skill.

Cap vs. IM, Cap vs. Ultron, Cap vs. Spiderman
Daredevil vs. Black Sky
Thor vs. Hulk, Thor vs. Hela
Melinday May vs. Kree
etc.

They didn't necessarily win these matches but they were able to put up enough of a fight due to their skill.

On the other hand, the few times Black Widow went up against physically superior opponents (Bucky and Crossbones) she was hardly able to put up a fight.

Well her main attack on Rumlow was literally useless against him. Then he threw her before she could change tactics.

And Bucky simply ignored her hits.

Originally posted by KingD19
Well her main attack on Rumlow was literally useless against him. Then he threw her before she could change tactics.

And Bucky simply ignored her hits.

Well yeah, sure. Just saying she still doesn't have as impressive a showing as the others who managed to put up more of a fight despite being outmatched.

The Netflix writers really seem to want to ramp Matt's skill up, especially for Defenders. Not just via feats (like being able to fight multiple centuries-old ninja masters at once, somewhat holding his own against Black Sky etc.), but via dialogue as well. We've now had Elektra, Stick and Iron Fist (via agreeing with Stick) saying that Matt is one of the best fighters any of them have ever encountered, and these are three people who have spent their lives surrounded by fighters.

That being said, purely in human terms, there are a couple of high-tier SHIELD agents who operate on that same level IMO.

Daredevil is in the top three for sure.

Someone who I consider a bit of a wildcard is Stick. Because Stick in The Defenders >>> Stick as shown on Daredevil.

He lost H2H to Matt in S1.
He lost with swords against pre-Black Sky Elektra in S2.
He nearly killed Black Sky Elektra in The Defenders, during a sword fight, but hesitated at the end.

So, either Stick's been holding back (which might be the case, considering he has previously said that Matt and Elektra are the closest thing he has to family), or the writers just randomly amped him for the show.

And what makes it so impressive is the guy is old as shit, and doesn't have the benefit of magical rejuvenation juice, like the Hand guys do.

Black Widow
Gamora
Valkyrie

Wow...All girls!

I think that perhaps Widows biggest claim to fame is that she's hyped to be solidly better than May or Ward.

Daredevil is definitely in. Elektra is probably in as well since I recall her being near to DD and getting better in Defenders. Then its Widow, Stick or Gamora most likely.

Originally posted by Nephthys
I think that perhaps Widows biggest claim to fame is that she's hyped to be solidly better than May or Ward.

Daredevil is definitely in. Elektra is probably in as well since I recall her being near to DD and getting better in Defenders. Then its Widow, Stick or Gamora most likely.

I don't think it was ever said anywhere that Widow was a better fighter than May or Ward.

I remember the first season made a big deal that May was more or less the next best fighter after Widow and Hawkeye in Shield and Ward at the end brags to her that he could probably give Rominov a run for her money if he was serious.

Originally posted by Nephthys
I remember the first season made a big deal that May was more or less the next best fighter after Widow and Hawkeye in Shield and Ward at the end brags to her that he could probably give Rominov a run for her money if he was serious.

If you can provide quotes that would be helpful. Because the only thing I remember is numerous mentions of Black Widow being the best spy or top agent. That doesn't mean she's the best fighter. Even Hawkeye said that Widow is a spy, not a soldier.

Equalizing stats, Widow is First Team All Skill. Then probably Elektra. DD relies on radar, Danny Rand is weak sauce, no fist means no wins, Dd showed him whats up. I would actually argue for Nobu for the top three.

Originally posted by FrothByte
If you can provide quotes that would be helpful. Because the only thing I remember is numerous mentions of Black Widow being the best spy or top agent. That doesn't mean she's the best fighter. Even Hawkeye said that Widow is a spy, not a soldier.

I briefly checked out some versus threads and I saw mention that Ward's combat scores were second to Widows and he and May were pretty much even in their fights. May apparently has more black belts then Widow but Nat wasn't exactly trained in a dojo so meh.

Also apparently May whooped a guy who almost killed Hawkeye so that does reflect well on her. Though Widow >> Hawkeye in h2h as well. And Coulson wanted her to work with him on the Avengers Initiative before she requested desk duty. Its unclear If that's just as an agent or as an Avenger though.