10 Best Vegeta Fights in DBZ & Dragon Ball Super, Ranked

Vegeta is a standout character in Dragon Ball. From the moment he appeared in the Saiyan Saga, he’s played a key role in driving the plot forward. Throughout the series, he’s been a villain, a conflicted hero, and even the main character. Unlike Goku and many of the Z-Fighters who prioritize honor, Vegeta is a soldier first and foremost, and fights accordingly.

Vegeta is known for his intense and memorable battles throughout the Dragon Ball series, constantly striving to exceed Goku’s power. These fights are central to his growth as a character, even more so than for Goku. We see Vegeta evolve and change through his battles, and each fight reveals who he is at that point in the Dragon Ball story.

10. Vegeta vs Kid Buu

Vegeta’s growth during the Majin Buu Saga is remarkable, particularly after his earlier defeat by Fat Buu. In the final battle, he understands Goku needs time to power up his Super Saiyan 3 form, so Vegeta bravely fights to hold off Kid Buu, even though he knows he can’t win. He’s willing to sacrifice himself to buy Goku time, and he accepts that’s his role.

Vegeta’s willingness to risk his pride demonstrates how much he’s grown throughout the series. The battle is also a standout for his fighting skills, as he bravely endures repeated attacks to distract Buu and protect Goku. Ultimately, Goku realizes he can’t use Super Saiyan 3 in his current form, so Vegeta proposes a Spirit Bomb, continuing to fight Buu even when defeat seems inevitable.

9. Vegeta vs Toppo

Vegeta performed exceptionally well in the Tournament of Power, taking out more opponents than any other member of Universe 7. Although his fight against Jiren is memorable, his most significant battle in the Universe Survival Saga was against Toppo. Toppo, who had previously beaten Goku, unleashed his God of Destruction power and almost defeated Vegeta before he could face Jiren in the final showdown.

Thinking about Bulma, Trunks, Bulla, and Cabba helped Vegeta achieve a new level of power. He evolved his Super Saiyan Blue form into Super Saiyan Blue Evolved, making him strong enough to compete with those using Ultra Instinct Sign. With this new power, Vegeta shockingly defeated Toppo, a God of Destruction and one of the strongest beings in the entire multiverse. This made Vegeta the first and only character in Dragon Ball Super to ever defeat an opponent at that level.

8. Vegeta vs Beerus

After Goku’s defeat by Beerus on King Kai’s planet, Vegeta essentially takes over as the central figure in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. Throughout the movie, he focuses on calming Beerus and keeping him from destroying everything, demonstrating significant character development since the original Dragon Ball Z series. He’s even willing to endure embarrassment to protect Earth. However, despite setting aside his pride, Vegeta remains fiercely devoted to Bulma.

When Beerus hits Bulma, Vegeta flies into a furious rage, instantly achieving a more powerful form than even Goku’s Super Saiyan 3. He’s so strong, he actually manages to draw blood from Beerus with a stunning attack. Even Master Roshi is impressed by Vegeta’s power. Though the fight is brief, Vegeta’s battle with Beerus clearly demonstrates how far he’s come and just how talented he is.

7. Vegeta vs Cell

Vegeta became strong enough to beat Cell after his training, but that created a new issue for him. He wasn’t satisfied with simply winning; he craved a truly challenging fight. Their battle really highlights Vegeta’s biggest weaknesses. Even though he easily defeated Cell, he was frustrated because Cell still had the potential to become more powerful.

Vegeta makes a shocking decision that could destroy his son Trunks’ future: he allows Cell to absorb Android 18. It’s disturbing yet satisfying to watch Cell calmly overpower and taunt Vegeta during their fight. Even Vegeta’s most powerful attack, the Final Flash, isn’t enough. Ultimately, Vegeta is left severely wounded, falling into the ocean and leaving Trunks to save the world.

6. Vegeta vs Android 19

It was fortunate for Vegeta that Goku contracted the Heart Virus when he did. Vegeta had been training relentlessly for three years, ever since Future Trunks warned them about the Androids, and he actually became stronger than Goku, achieving Super Saiyan. When Goku was defeated by Android 19, Vegeta stepped in and easily overpowered the android, tearing him apart and ultimately destroying him.

The fight between Super Saiyan Vegeta and Android 19 is a one-sided beating where Vegeta is incredibly ruthless. While he wins decisively, it further inflates his ego, leading to a humbling defeat by Android 18 soon after. Despite that outcome, it’s still thrilling to see Vegeta completely overwhelm and terrify his opponent.

5. Vegeta vs Granolah

The Granolah the Survivor arc significantly expands on Saiyan history, revealing the final moments of Planet Vegeta and introducing Goku to his father, Bardock. A key focus of the arc is Vegeta’s growth as a character, forcing him to confront the past actions of the Saiyan race while he trains to become a God of Destruction. During his fight with Granolah, Vegeta unlocks a powerful new form called Ultra Ego.

Vegeta’s Ultra Ego form gets more powerful as he battles and takes hits, resulting in a fierce fight where he and Granolah repeatedly unleash their most powerful attacks. Although Vegeta doesn’t win, he forces Granolah to reach his full potential. The fight is incredibly dynamic, showcasing both Vegeta’s aggressive, brutal style and Granolah’s quick, precise movements, and highlights the unique abilities of each fighter.

4. Vegeta vs Broly

Dragon Ball Super: Broly sets a new high standard for animation within the Dragon Ball series. The movie features incredibly smooth and dynamic movement, with fight scenes that are among the best the series has ever offered, even beyond what creator Akira Toriyama has done himself. While the climactic battle between Gogeta and Broly is a clear standout, the first major fight between Broly and Vegeta is also remarkably well done.

Set to the exciting track “Broly Begins to Battle,” Vegeta’s battle with the Legendary Super Saiyan feels like a tribute to his strength and pride. He puts up an impressive fight, pushing his limits by transforming from his base form to Super Saiyan, and then to Super Saiyan God. Seeing Super Saiyan God Vegeta animated is truly stunning, and he likely would have defeated Broly if Goku hadn’t intervened, wanting his own chance to fight.

3. Vegeta vs Recoome

A highlight of the Frieza Saga is the significant amount of focus given to Vegeta. After being the primary antagonist in the Saiyan Saga, he essentially takes on the lead role when the story moves to Namek, particularly before Goku shows up. While Vegeta has several impressive fights on Namek, his battle with Recoome is arguably his best.

Vegeta quickly realizes the Ginyu Force is far more powerful than he is, with Guldo being the only exception. His fight with Recoome is a brutal and well-animated display of power, as they exchange devastating blows all over Namek. While Vegeta fights valiantly, Recoome effortlessly withstands every attack and nearly defeats him. The struggle highlights just how formidable Frieza’s soldiers truly are.

2. Vegeta vs Fat Buu

Majin Vegeta represents a difficult moment for Vegeta, the proud Saiyan prince. It’s almost like a mid-life crisis; he becomes distraught when he realizes he’ll never get another chance to fight Goku, and that Goku has even become stronger in the afterlife. Driven to desperation, Vegeta lets Babidi take control of him, forcing a fight with Goku that ultimately revives Majin Buu. Feeling personally responsible for unleashing Buu, Vegeta knocks Goku unconscious and decides to face the newly awakened Buu himself.

Vegeta’s battle with Super Buu is brief, but stands out as one of his most heroic moments in Dragon Ball. For the first time, he’s not fighting for his own pride, but to protect others, and he fully accepts the consequences of his past. Even as a Super Saiyan 2, Vegeta can’t defeat Buu, so he makes the ultimate sacrifice, detonating himself in a desperate attempt to destroy the monster. While it doesn’t completely finish Buu, Vegeta finally demonstrates true heroism.

1. Vegeta vs Goku, Gohan, Krillin, & Yajirobe

The climactic battle of Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga is truly iconic. It begins as an incredible one-on-one fight between Goku and Vegeta, but soon escalates into a full-scale confrontation with all the remaining Z-Fighters battling Vegeta. Goku and Vegeta deliver a beautifully animated and unforgettable fight, considered by many to be the best in shonen anime. Eventually, Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe join the fight, gradually weakening Vegeta until he’s defeated and barely able to escape in his spaceship.

During the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta felt more powerful and overwhelming than any villain Dragon Ball had seen before. The fight against him pushed Goku to his absolute limit, breaking every bone in his body. While Goku struggled, others stepped up: Yajirobe showed his value by severing Vegeta’s tail in his Great Ape form, Gohan found his courage and faced Vegeta alone, and Krillin proved his unwavering loyalty to Goku by gathering energy for the Spirit Bomb and even preparing to deliver the final blow. Ultimately, Goku’s decision to spare Vegeta, despite everything, was a defining moment in an already incredible fight.

2026-02-14 07:07