Despite Anakin Skywalker being presented as the main protagonist of the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, many fans would argue that Obi-Wan Kenobi is the true hero. All three movies focus heavily on him, and even as a mentor figure for Luke Skywalker in A New Hope, he steals the show.
Even in The Clone Wars, Obi-Wan gets to shine across many seasons with several episodes focusing mainly on him. As a result, across the movies and shows, Obi-Wan has fought many threats with his civilized weapon, further proving to fans that he is a contender for the best Jedi.
Updated on July 14th, 2022 by Melody MacReady: With the successful release of the Obi-Wan Kenobi spin-off series on Disney+, fans of the character got to see him in a new light. Obi-Wan Kenobi, still played by the charismatic Ewan McGregor, not only had to fight Darth Vader again but also his PTSD from the events that occurred with the Purge by execution of Order 66.
However, that battle with his inner demons is what leads to more duels that show off that Obi-Wan Kenobi is still a master of the Jedi arts. So, where do these duels rank amongst the others, including another fight from The Clone Wars?
Obi-Wan VS Asajj Ventress (The Clone Wars)
Obi-Wan's battle against Asajj Ventress in The Clone Wars pilot movie was definitely a fun one. Obi-Wan and Ventress have a tendency to be flirty with each other, but Obi-Wan almost always manages to get the upper hand.
In this case, Obi-Wan was merely distracting Ventress long enough for Anakin and Ahsoka to escape. The choreography is a delightful flourish due to both opponents' sense of style while fighting. However, the banter adds a nice touch of humor that is not often seen in lightsaber duels.
Obi-Wan VS General Grievous (The Clone Wars)
There are several encounters between Obi-Wan and Grievous during The Clone Wars. Each fight is a spectacle to witness, but the standout comes from the ninth episode of the second season. Not only does General Kenobi have to fight the leader of the droid army, but two MagnaGuards as well.
Obi-Wan shows off his affinity for more weapons besides a lightsaber. On one hand, he wields that classic blue lightsaber, but he also wields the electro-staff of a MagnaGuard. Grievous proves to be a threat, but Obi-Wan manages to overpower him in the end.
Obi-Wan VS Jango Fett (Attack Of The Clones)
It's shown that Jango Fett was a masterclass bounty hunter in Attack Of The Clones, capable of killing Jedi with ease. So it shows Obi-Wan's prowess when he's able to take on Jango Fett on foot on the famous Star Wars planet Kamino and in space as he pursues him to Geonosis.
Obi-Wan even loses his lightsaber temporarily on Kamino and relies on his Jedi training with martial arts to battle him. Even with his hands tied by a metal cable, he still manages to bring down Jango Fett, thus destroying his jetpack.
Obi-Wan VS Darth Vader (A New Hope)
Even in his older and weakened state, Obi-Wan Kenobi was still able to face off against his old padawan. Darth Vader has been shown to take on entire legions of rebels on his own, so that is a hint that Obi-Wan was still powerful.
However, there is no clear winner of this fight since Obi-Wan sacrifices himself. That still shows the Jedi-like quality of Obi-Wan, willing to take his own life so that he can guide Luke from within the Force.
Obi-Wan VS Pre Visla (The Clone Wars)
Obi-Wan Kenobi has always been a master of the lightsaber but this fight with Pre Visla in Season 2 of The Clone Wars shows that he doesn't need one. Pre Visla wields the Darksaber and proves to be a formidable opponent, even dealing a few powerful hits onto Obi-Wan.
However, Obi-Wan is not helpless, using his training to overpower Visla using martial arts. Even with a jetpack, Pre Visla loses to the Jedi Master, forcing him to send his Death Watch squad onto Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan VS General Grievous (Revenge Of The Sith)
These days, the famous "Hello there" quote which Obi-Wan uses to greet General Grievous is the source of many prequel trilogy memes. However, many fans also recognize it as the beginning of an iconic fight between Kenobi and the four-armed Grevious wielding a lightsaber in each hand.
This fight spans many levels of the Utapau city with Obi-Wan losing his go-to weapon. As a result, Obi-Wan results in other means of fighting the cyborg including the "so uncivilized" blaster. With the many years Grevious caused trouble during The Clone Wars, Obi-Wan is the only one to bring him down.
Obi-Wan VS Anakin Skywalker (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
The fifth episode of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series showcased Obi-Wan and Anakin in a scene that takes place before Attack Of The Clones. Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor continue to excel with their lightsaber combat as Obi-Wan Kenobi teaches Anakin a lesson in patience.
Even when Anakin disarms Obi-Wan, his mentor still manages to claim victory. It's meant to show that no matter how powerful Anakin will become, Obi-Wan will always be the more skilled and wise warrior.
Obi-Wan & Anakin Skywalker VS Count Dooku (The Clone Wars)
Count Dooku AKA Darth Tyranus escaping from Obi-Wan and Anakin's clutches practically became a running gag during The Clone Wars. That said, the rematch between the two Jedi and the Sith that pushed their rivalry even farther came in season 6.
Dooku continues to prove he is a master duelist as he battles Obi-Wan and Anakin with only one hand. With the help of Anakin, Obi-Wan manages to get payback for their loss in Attack Of The Clones before Dooku escapes yet again.
Obi-Wan & Asajj Ventress VS Darth Maul & Savage Oppress (The Clone Wars)
Obi-Wan is pushed to his limits when Darth Maul teams up with his brother Savage Oppress. Still, it's satisfying to see Obi-Wan battle these two behemoths of Dathomirians. But Obi-Wan was able to barely survive against both.
Thankfully, Obi-Wan is saved by an unlikely ally: Asajj Ventress. Seeing those two work together to fight and even defeat Maul and Savage is nothing short of jaw-dropping. It shows Obi-Wan's ability to use his anger and gives fans the rare chance to see Obi-Wan wield a red lightsaber.
Obi-Wan VS Darth Maul (Rebels)
Where most famous duels are long with extensive choreography, this fight from Star Wars: Rebels is over in seconds. Finally, Maul once again reunites with an old Obi-Wan to get his revenge. Maul attempts to take on Obi-Wan uses the same flaw in Maul's lightsaber design from The Phantom Menace.
With one slash, Obi-Wan fatally wounds Maul just enough to have him die in his arms. It's a bittersweet ending to their story but fitting for the evil Sith that proves that Maul is one of Obi-Wan's greatest rivals.
Obi-Wan VS Darth Maul (The Phantom Menace)
When it comes to Obi-Wan and Maul, nothing tops the fight in The Phantom Menace. Even when it was him and the show-stealing Qui-Gon Jinn working together, it is masterful choreography mixed with an iconic John Williams score. That said, the best part of this fight is after Maul kills Qui-Gon when Obi-Wan succumbs to his anger to avenge his master.
There is little music or grand cinematography, it's just brutal and fast-paced lightsaber clashes that end with Obi-Wan cutting Maul in half. Obi-Wan proves to be a true Jedi because he fought with anger but kept within the Light Side of the Force, proving that the Jedi Order's code was false.
Obi-Wan VS Anakin Skywalker (Revenge Of The Sith)
Nobody can blame Obi-Wan Kenobi for not wanting to fight the boy he practically raised as his own little brother. Like a true Jedi Master though, he knows that there is no other option left, as Anakin was too far gone into the Dark Side to return. Thus began a fight that sprawled across the volcanic wastelands of Mustafar in Revenge Of The Sith.
Obi-Wan and Anakin were the two elite Jedi that helped the Republic win The Clone Wars. In many ways, the two are equal, which is why this fight lasts for so long, but Obi-Wan was always more level-headed, even in an emotional state. He defeated Darth Vader in his prime, the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, thus earning him the title of the best Jedi.
Obi-Wan VS Darth Vader (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Though Vader won the first rematch, this final battle with Obi-Wan has the old Jedi beat his powerful apprentice. Very few can say they fought Darth Vader and came out on top but that's why Obi-Wan is the best. With the Skywalker children as his inspiration, Obi-Wan became the Jedi that he was before the Purge.
Vader is a more powerful combatant but Obi-Wan uses his tactical mind, using faster combat to overwhelm the Sith lord. Obi-Wan also uses the Force more than he usually does, using the environment to weaken Vader, seemingly taking a cue from his old rival Darth Maul. He even wounds Vader enough to break his suit's power box and the mask, exposing Anakin's burnt face.