Superhuman brawlers · Superhuman
Baki Hanma vs Daredevil
A blind man who hears every heartbeat against a martial genius who can hide his own.
Tale of the tape
| Baki | Universe | Marvel |
|---|---|---|
| Superhuman | Tier | Street level |
| A martial genius who copies techniques after seeing them once | Strength | Radar sense and acrobatic fighting |
| Lighter than the monsters he fights | Weakness | Loud sounds and smells overload him |
| 2–1 | Record on Versus | 0–3 |
The Arena
Baki Hanma had heard of a blind lawyer in New York who fought criminals at night, a man said to be able to hear a heartbeat across a city. To Baki, a fighter with a sense he had never faced was more exciting than any champion, and he flew to New York to find him.
He found Matt Murdock at Fogwell’s Gym after hours, working a heavy bag alone. Matt heard Baki come in long before he spoke: the calm, slow heartbeat, the light footsteps, the faint smell of the ocean on his clothes. “You’re not a criminal,” Matt said, without turning around. “But you’re dangerous.” Baki bowed. “Please.”
Round One
Daredevil fought like nothing Baki had ever seen. He heard Baki’s muscles tense before every strike, and slipped them all with acrobatic grace, landing quick, precise counters with his fists and his billy club. A strike to the temple, a kick to the ribs, a club across the knee.
Baki laughed out loud. He had never been read like this, not even by his father. He tried a faster combination, then a feint, then a technique he had copied from a karate master. Daredevil heard it all coming and countered every one.
The Turn
So Baki did something extraordinary. He stilled his own body, his heartbeat slowing almost to nothing, his breath stopping, his muscles relaxing completely. It was a technique he had learned to hide from predators, and it worked on Daredevil too.
Matt’s radar sense went quiet where Baki stood. For a terrifying moment, he could not find his opponent at all. Then Baki moved from that perfect stillness straight into an explosive strike, and the first sign Matt had of it was the punch landing in his stomach.
The Finish
Daredevil fought on, trying to track Baki by the faint creak of the floor and the movement of air. He landed a few more strikes, but Baki was now attacking from silence every time, and each blow came with no warning at all.
A whip strike to the ribs made Matt gasp in pain. A kick to the back of the knee dropped him. Baki stood over him, breathing normally again, and offered a hand. Matt took it, wincing.
“You turned off your own heart,” Matt said, astonished. “I’ve never heard anyone do that.” Baki smiled. “You read me better than anyone ever has. I had to do something.” They spent the rest of the night training together, and Matt began to learn how to listen for silence.
The verdict
Baki Hanma wins
Daredevil’s radar sense reads Baki better than any opponent ever has, but Baki is superhumanly strong and skilled, and he finds a way to hide from Matt’s senses entirely, then strikes from silence.
- Physical edgeBaki is far stronger and more durable than Daredevil.
- StillnessHe hides his heartbeat and breath from Matt’s radar sense.
- AdaptabilityBaki changes his whole approach within minutes.
How the rematch could go differently: In a loud, crowded environment where Baki could not use stillness and Matt could hear everyone else, Daredevil’s acrobatics might carry a longer fight.
Who do you think wins?
Who would win in a fight between Baki Hanma and Daredevil?
Baki Hanma wins. Daredevil’s radar sense reads Baki better than any opponent ever has, but Baki is superhumanly strong and skilled, and he finds a way to hide from Matt’s senses entirely, then strikes from silence.