When it comes to The Walking Dead, the walkers might have been the constant threat, but it was often the living who delivered the deadliest blows. Over the 11-season run, the zombie series gave us countless moments where personal grudges, betrayal, and pure survival instinct ignited into explosive one-on-one battles.
These fights were brutal, bloody, and unforgettable. They were the kind of clashes that left characters scarred and fans stunned. From violent altercations between former allies to vicious clashes with sworn enemies, these confrontations stand out as some of the most intense moments in the show’s history. In this article, we shared five of the most savage and impactful one-on-one fights in The Walking Dead.
Rick vs. Shane
- When does it happen? - Season 2, episode 12
The reason why we think Rick and Shane’s one-on-one altercation in The Walking Dead season 2 was so brutal is because it was the violent climax of a deeply personal and complicated relationship unraveling. Once close friends, their bond broke under the weight of jealousy, betrayal, and competing visions for leadership, especially surrounding Lori and the safety of their group.
Shane had spiraled entirely out of control by the second season, which led him to attempt to kill Rick by shooting him with a gun. However, Rick managed to trick Shane and stab him first, ending the fight and Shane’s life in a sudden, bloody showdown.
Rick vs. Joe
- When does it happen? - Season 4, episode 16
Another brutal one-on-one fight in TWD was between Rick and Joe. Joe was the leader of a survivor group called the Claimers, a ruthless gang that robbed and killed anyone who got in their way. When Rick and his group are captured by the Claimers, Rick ends up facing Joe in a fierce and bloody hand-to-hand combat.
The fight ends with him biting deeply into Joe’s neck, tearing through his jugular vein and causing him to bleed out. Rick then turns his sights on another Claimers member, Dan, who was trying to sexually assault Carl moments before. He grabs Dan and then repeatedly stabs him over and over again with a knife. Honestly, Rick's altercation with Dan might have been more savage and intense than his fight with Joe.
Daryl vs. Beta
- When does it happen? - Season 10, episode 16
Although the fight between Daryl and Beta was brief in the tenth season, it was still pretty disturbing to watch because it ended with the brutal death of Beta. The fight starts off with Beta attacking Negan, but it turns into a one-on-one battle between Daryl and Beta after Daryl sneaks up behind him and stabs him in both eyes with his knives. Daryl and Negan then watch as the walkers hound Beta and start consuming and devouring him.
Michonne vs. The Governor
- When does it happen? - Season 3, episode 8
Michonne had been suspicious of the Governor’s true intentions for a long time. Her growing mistrust only deepened after witnessing his ruthless actions against her and her friends. This suspicion set the stage for their inevitable and brutal confrontation in the mid-season finale of the third season. While on a rescue mission with Rick and the rest of his group to save Glenn and Maggie at Woodbury, Michonne dips away by herself and sneaks into the Governor's apartment and waits for him.
While waiting, she overhears a thudding sound coming from one of the rooms. After looking around, she finds the Governor's undead daughter, Penny. As she prepares to kill Penny with her katana, the Governor walks through the door and pleads for her to stop.
Michonne ignores his pleas and stabs Penny through the mouth. The Governor then charges at her and they engage in a fierce fight that ends with Michonne getting the upper hand by picking up a shard of glass and stabbing him in the eye. Just as she prepares to deliver the final blow with her sword, Andrea suddenly appears and points her gun at her. Michonne then flees.
Michonne vs. Jocelyn
- When does it happen? - Season 9, episode 14
What made the Michonne vs. Jocelyn fight hard to watch in the ninth season was the fact that they were once good friends before the zombie apocalypse, and Michonne thought she could trust her. But Jocelyn proved she couldn't be trusted after she betrayed the Alexandria community by kidnapping children, stealing supplies, and resorting to violence.
A pregnant Michonne ends up tracking Jocelyn and the kids down to an abandoned school where they engage in a physical altercation. Jocelyn initially gets the upper hand and hits Michonne over and over with a wooden plank before Michonne finds the strength to fight back. She grabs her katana off the ground and stabs Jocelyn in the leg before mounting her and stabbing her in the chest, ultimately killing her.
All 11 seasons of TWD are available to stream on Netflix.