10 Best Wolverine/Sabretooth Battles in Marvel History, Ranked

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The rivalry between Wolverine and Sabretooth is considered one of Marvel’s greatest. Though Sabretooth originally appeared in Iron Fist and wasn’t initially created as Wolverine’s enemy, their first clash in Uncanny X-Men sparked a legendary feud. They are incredibly well-matched physically, each possessing strengths and weaknesses that make their battles particularly exciting. Unlike many comic book rivalries, their hatred for each other has remained consistently strong over the years. While they’ve occasionally teamed up, these alliances are always temporary, with each promising the other a rematch as soon as the current threat is dealt with. The animosity between them is truly endless.

Wolverine and Sabretooth have clashed in many memorable fights, but a few truly stand out. Their battles are often the most intense Wolverine has faced, and fans have enjoyed them for years. Here’s a list of the ten greatest fights between these two rivals.

10) X-Men (Vol. 2) #6

The 1990s truly belonged to the X-Men, and the second volume of X-Men comic proved it. The first year, spearheaded by Jim Lee and Scott Lobdell, featured a particularly memorable fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth. This showdown occurred after Omega Red defeated the X-Men, leaving Wolverine and Maverick injured. Sabretooth and Psylocke were sent to finish them off, cornering them in a sewer. Fans already loved their previous sewer brawl, so excitement was high for this rematch, especially with Jim Lee’s artwork. However, the fight took an unexpected turn when Sabretooth quickly defeated Wolverine between panels – a shocking moment that made it stand out and remains unique in their long history of battles.

9) Wolverine (Vol. 7) #50

The recent Krakoa period was a high point for the X-Men, particularly for Wolverine. His comic series, Wolverine (Vol. 7), was a standout, culminating in an epic showdown with Sabretooth in issue #50, created by Ben Percy, Victor LaValle, Geoff Shaw, and Cory Smith. This battle concluded the ten-issue “Sabretooth War,” where Creed unleashed an army of Sabretooths from across the multiverse against X-Force. Stripped of his healing factor, Wolverine equipped himself with adamantium armor and the Murasama blade for their final fight. The resulting battle was brutal, intense, and exactly the kind of violent clash fans expect from these two characters. It was a shocking and bloody conclusion to their long-running rivalry.

8) Wolverine (Vol. 8) #12

2025 was a rough year for Wolverine. Both of his individual comic series struggled, and the main Wolverine series (volume 8) wasn’t very good for most of the year. However, issue #11, created by Saladin Ahmed and Martin Cocolo, featured one of the best fight scenes in Wolverine’s history. It revealed Logan’s mother was still alive, leading him to confront Sabretooth, who was holding her captive. Martin Cocolo’s artwork brilliantly captured their intense battle, marking a high point in his work on the series. Although a later plot twist complicates things (and some fans debate whether this issue should even be included), the fight itself was a standout moment in an otherwise challenging year for the character.

7) Wolverine (Vol. 5) #13

In the story “Killable,” Paul Cornell and Alan Davis began the arc leading to Wolverine’s potential death. This storyline explored what life meant for Wolverine without his healing ability, and whether he could still be the hero he always knew. It culminated in a brutal fight with Sabretooth in Wolverine (Vol. 5) #13, where Sabretooth nearly killed him. What made this battle so compelling was Sabretooth’s intense hatred for Logan – he relentlessly mocked him, exploited his weaknesses, and reveled in his vulnerability. Cornell’s portrayal of Sabretooth throughout Volumes 5 and 6 was excellent, and this fight perfectly demonstrated his understanding of the character.

6) Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #213

The X-Men gained popularity in the 1980s, and Wolverine was a key part of their success. He experienced many exciting adventures with the team and as a solo hero, but it wasn’t until the ‘Mutant Massacre’ storyline that he encountered his ultimate enemy. Sabretooth, initially with the Marauders and involved in killing Morlocks, shifted his focus to hunting Psylocke and Wolverine. Their rivalry began in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #212, culminating in a full-blown battle in the following issue, penned by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis. This first comic book fight between them was a huge hit with fans and established the dynamic for all their future clashes. It remains a truly memorable battle.

5) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #41

The second volume of Wolverine was the longest-running series featuring the character, and it’s known for some incredible battles, especially those against his greatest enemy. One standout fight comes from issue #41, created by Larry Hama and Marc Silvestri. During a brutal showdown in the sewers, Sabretooth shockingly reveals he believes he’s Logan’s father. Even without this surprising reveal, the fight is fantastic. Silvestri’s artwork is among the best ever seen in a Wolverine comic, making this battle visually stunning. While the two continued to clash in subsequent issues, this particular issue contains the most memorable moments of their rivalry.

4) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #145

In issue #145 of Wolverine (Vol. 2), created by Erik Larsen and Leinil Yu, Wolverine regained his adamantium skeleton after a brutal fight with his arch-enemy. The issue features two incredible battles: one against Sabretooth in the past, orchestrated by Apocalypse as a contest to determine who would become Death, and another against the Hulk. Both Wolverine and Sabretooth had adamantium skeletons during their intense, high-stakes fight—one of the most desperate of their long-running rivalry. Ultimately, Wolverine emerges victorious, proving his skill, and then faces off against the Hulk as Death.

3) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #126

In Wolverine (Vol. 2) #126, Chris Claremont and Leinil Yu deliver a memorable issue following Logan’s forced marriage to Viper. The story quickly explodes into an incredible fight when Sabretooth arrives. Though Wolverine is without his adamantium, he initially gains the advantage and appears to win. However, Sabretooth shockingly reveals he has an adamantium skeleton, creating a devastatingly uneven match. This fight is brilliantly paced and visually stunning from beginning to end, offering a thrilling rollercoaster for readers. It’s a truly exceptional fight comic that deserves more recognition as one of the best ever.

2) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #10

Although Uncanny X-Men #213 features the first printed fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth, their first battle actually happened in Wolverine #10, created by Chris Claremont, John Buscema, and Bill Sienkiewicz. This issue reveals the origin of their rivalry: on Wolverine’s birthday, Sabretooth intentionally seeks him out to cause pain, stemming from a past tragedy where Sabretooth killed Wolverine’s girlfriend on his birthday. The two then fought in the snow. The fight is beautifully illustrated by Buscema and Sienkiewicz, making it a truly memorable comic book issue and a classic battle in comic book history.

1) Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90

Wolverine was incredibly popular in the 1990s, and a standout moment for the character happened in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #90, written by Larry Hama and illustrated by Adam Kubert. After losing his adamantium, Logan had left the X-Mansion, but he returned once he regained his confidence. He found Sabretooth waiting for him, and Logan intended to kill the villain while he was imprisoned. However, Sabretooth escaped during their confrontation, leading to an intense and emotionally powerful fight – arguably their greatest. Hama perfectly captured the deep-seated hatred between the two characters, and Kubert’s artwork brought the battle to life. The use of gatefold pages further enhanced the experience, solidifying this as their most memorable fight.

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2026-02-06 23:19