Goku VS Vegeta: The Strongest Saiyan in All 8 Fights in Dragon Ball

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Goku and Vegeta have one of the most iconic rivalries in all of anime. From the very beginning of Dragon Ball Z, these two Saiyans have constantly pushed each other to become stronger and break their boundaries. Throughout Dragon Ball Z, both series of Dragon Ball Super, and even the Dragon Ball Online game, they’ve battled each other on numerous occasions.

It’s surprising, but despite Goku usually being more powerful, Vegeta wins a good number of their battles. Plus, the outcome of several fights, particularly their last one in the Dragon Ball series, is open to interpretation and it’s unclear who actually wins.

Goku vs Vegeta in the Saiyan Saga

Winner: Vegeta

The first fight between Goku and Vegeta in the Saiyan Saga is widely considered the best battle in all of Dragon Ball. Creator Akira Toriyama really outdid himself, delivering a thrilling and unpredictable fight. Goku has to push his Kaioken technique to its maximum power just to compete with Vegeta, who is far more durable than any enemy seen up to that point. What makes this fight unique is that both Saiyans feel like they lost. Vegeta’s pride was hurt because Goku defeated him while he was in his base form, and the combined efforts of Earth’s heroes forced him to withdraw.

Goku clearly lost the fight. After pushing himself to the limit with the Kaioken x4, he was left completely vulnerable. Vegeta didn’t even need to transform into a Great Ape to win; he could have easily finished Goku off with the energy he already had. Instead, Vegeta as a Great Ape brutally broke all of Goku’s bones. Goku only survived because Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe intervened. By that point, the outcome of the fight was already decided.

Vegeta vs Ginyu-Goku on Namek

Winner: Vegeta

When Goku arrives on Namek, Captain Ginyu manages to take over his body. Ginyu has a special ability that lets him switch bodies with others, and he often uses it to steal the bodies of stronger opponents. However, Ginyu quickly discovers he doesn’t know how to use Goku’s techniques, like the Kaioken, leaving him with a surprisingly low Power Level of only 23,000 while in Goku’s body.

Ginyu, while possessing Goku’s body, is easily overpowered by both Krillin and Gohan. Vegeta dominates Ginyu-Goku in their fight, leaving Goku concerned that Vegeta might destroy Ginyu before he can reclaim his body. Fortunately for Goku, Ginyu attempts to switch bodies with Vegeta, allowing Goku to intervene and take back control. However, this happens only after Vegeta has already severely beaten Ginyu-Goku.

Super Saiyan 2 Goku vs Majin Vegeta’s Rematch

Winner: Tied (Technically Vegeta)

The Majin Buu Saga begins with a rivalry between Goku and Vegeta that takes a disastrous turn. They were meant to have a rematch at the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament, but Babidi’s interference and Goku’s achievement of Super Saiyan 2 while dead fuel Vegeta’s frustration. Unable to stand being surpassed, Vegeta willingly lets Babidi use his dark magic, transforming him into a Majin.

Goku and Vegeta, both in their Super Saiyan 2 forms, were evenly matched in a powerful fight. This battle unintentionally gave Majin Buu the energy he needed to wake up early. Goku convinced Vegeta to stop fighting, resulting in a draw. However, Vegeta felt responsible for Buu’s awakening and surprised Goku by knocking him unconscious before flying off to fight Buu, intending to sacrifice himself. While Vegeta effectively ended their fight, it wasn’t a clear win since Goku had already stopped fighting.

Super Saiyan Blue Goku vs Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber

Winner: Tied

In the original Dragon Ball Z series, the Hyperbolic Time Chamber had a strict 48-hour limit. Anyone who stayed inside for longer than two days would be permanently trapped. However, this rule was dropped in Dragon Ball Super, letting characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza train there for years without any negative consequences.

During the Universe 6 Saga, Goku and Vegeta were able to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber without a time limit. After learning about the Tournament of Destroyers from Champa and Beerus, they entered the chamber and spent three years training together. The Dragon Ball Super manga shows them fighting each other at full power while using their Super Saiyan Blue forms, but the fight is cut short, leaving the outcome unknown.

Super Saiyan Blue Goku vs Copy-Vegeta in the Dragon Ball Super Anime

Winner: Goku

The Copy-Vegeta Saga is a storyline found only in the Dragon Ball Super manga, taking place between the Tournament of Destroyers and the Goku Black Saga. It’s largely a playful take on the Baby Vegeta arc from Dragon Ball GT, and it gives Goku a chance to finally beat Vegeta after losing to him several times throughout the series.

Copy-Vegeta is as powerful as Vegeta at the conclusion of the Universe 6 Saga, and can transform into Super Saiyan Blue. He fights SSB Goku as an equal, and Goku has difficulty gaining the upper hand. While Goku ultimately wins, it’s due to a lucky break – Monaka accidentally interferes, creating an opening for Goku to defeat Copy-Vegeta with a Kamehameha.

Super Saiyan Blue Goku vs Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta After the Tournament of Power

Winner: Unknown

After the Dragon Ball Super anime concluded with the Tournament of Power, Toei Animation added a short scene to give fans some extra enjoyment. Once everyone returned to their own universes, Goku and Vegeta decided to have one final sparring match to see how they stacked up against each other. Interestingly, Goku didn’t use his Ultra Instinct form, and Vegeta didn’t use Super Saiyan Blue Evolution during the fight.

Both Goku and Vegeta fight using their standard Super Saiyan Blue forms. The fight itself is very short, as the Dragon Ball Super anime cuts away almost immediately after it starts. It mainly serves as a reminder of their initial battle in the Saiyan Saga, highlighting how much their rivalry has grown over time. However, at this point in the story, Goku can’t control Ultra Instinct, while Vegeta can use Super Saiyan Blue Evolution whenever he chooses, giving Vegeta a clear advantage and the ability to win if he wanted to.

Base Goku vs Base Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Winner: Vegeta

Although Vegeta has won against Goku on several occasions, he’s never truly felt satisfied with those victories. Early on, Goku briefly became stronger than Vegeta, forcing him to transform into a Great Ape – a humiliating experience. Later, on Namek, Vegeta only defeated a weakened version of Goku, one that couldn’t access his full strength. Even during the fight with Majin Buu, Vegeta only managed to beat Goku by attacking him after the battle was already over, a move that felt unfair even for him.

In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Vegeta finally defeated Goku in a fair fight. This battle was unique because neither fighter could use their powerful transformations – they had to rely on their base skills alone. It was an incredibly close match, pushing both Saiyans to their limits, but Vegeta ultimately won by dodging an attack and landing a decisive punch just before collapsing from exhaustion.

Goku vs Vegeta’s Final Battle in Dragon Ball Online

Winner: Unknown

Akira Toriyama initially planned Dragon Ball Online as a continuation of the Dragon Ball Z story. Though it became an online multiplayer game, Toriyama was deeply involved and created a detailed history of what happened to the characters after the end of the original series. This timeline revealed that Goku and Vegeta, having reached the peak of their power, leave Earth in Age 801 for one last, all-out battle in space.

No one knows what happened during Goku and Vegeta’s last battle, as they both disappear afterward. The only sign of their fight is a massive supernova that occurs where they were battling. It’s almost certain they fought to the death, not because of any animosity, but to push their limits and truly test their strength. Fans of Dragon Ball will likely never find out who won the ultimate showdown.

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2026-05-14 14:05