Top 10 David vs. Goliath NHL Fights of the Past 20 Years (With Video)

Weight classes are instituted in professional fighting so that fighters can only scrap opponents of equal size, therefore, fighting someone out of your own weight class is strictly prohibited in order to prevent size mismatches and extreme reach advantages for one combatant.

Unlike boxing and mixed martial arts, there are no designated weight classes in hockey.

Although players generally match up with opponents of relative size similarity for fear of getting completely destroyed by a larger adversary, there have been some fights that have occurred in the NHL where the size differential between combatants are of almost mythical proportions.

In these battles, David doesn’t always win, and the fights aren’t always eventful, but the size mismatches are truly epic, as they are a rare thing to witness in a world where weight classes prevent these special bouts from happening in organized fighting.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 giant vs. dwarf fights in recent NHL history.

10. Tie Domi vs. Steve McKenna

David: Tie Domi - 5'10" 212 lbs

Goliath: Steve McKenna - 6'8" 252 lbs

Size Difference: 10 inches, 40 pounds

The Outcome: Even against the giants, Domi was a formidable fighter, and it seems that McKenna didn't fully realize what he was getting into. Win for Domi. 

9. Pat Verbeek vs. Eric Lindros

David: Pat Verbeek - 5'9" 190 lbs

Goliath: Eric Lindros - 6'5" 237 lbs

Size Difference: 8 inches, 47 pounds

The Outcome: The refs broke it up pretty quickly, but Lindros still had time to land three good rights that Verbeek could neither dodge or counter. Verbeek simply didn't have a chance and it was in his best interest that it was broken up quickly. Win for Lindros.  

8. Scott Nichol vs. Joe Thornton

David: Scott Nichol - 5'9" 178 lbs

Goliath: Joe Thornton - 6'4" 235 lbs

Size Difference: 7 inches, 57 pounds

The Outcome: Nichol fired a few good ones and Thornton came back with a couple of his own before falling to the ground. Draw.

7. Cam Janssen vs. John Scott

David: Cam Janssen - 6'0" 210 lbs

Goliath: John Scott - 6'8" 258 lbs

Size Difference: 8 inches, 48 pounds

The Outcome: Janssen, the best stamina fighter of all-time as far as I'm concerned, lands a few good ones in this marathon bout but just couldn't solve Scott's reach advantage as he lands the most and gets the narrow upper hand. Win for Scott. 

6. Rick Rypien vs. Hal Gill

David: Rick Rypien (R.I.P.) - 5'11" 185 lbs

Goliath: Hal Gill - 6'7" 240 lbs

Size Difference: 8 inches, 55 pounds

The Outcome: Rypien lands the better punches and defends himself better as well. Win for Rypien.

5. Jordin Tootoo vs. Boris Valabik

David: Jordin Tootoo - 5'9" 194 lbs

Goliath: Boris Valabik - 6'7" 245 lbs

Size Difference: 10 inches, 51 pounds

The Outcome: Tootoo out-muscles and pounds away at the mammoth of a man, leaving a fist-sized hole where his dignity used to be. Win for Tootoo.

4. Rick Rypien vs. Boris Valabik

David: Rick Rypien (R.I.P.) - 5'11" 185 lbs

Goliath: Boris Valabik - 6'7" 245 lbs

Size Difference: 8 inches, 60 pounds

The Outcome: Valabik makes a second appearance on this list, this time getting absolutely pounded by one of the greatest undersized fighters in league history. Win for Rypien.

3. Ville Peltonen vs. Evgeny Artyukhin

David: Ville Peltonen - 5'11" 185 lbs

Goliath: Evgeny Artyukhin - 6'5" 260 lbs

Size Difference: 6 inches, 75 pounds

The Outcome: Peltonen didn't do too well, but I mean how well could you do when your fighting someone who could probably use you for bicep curls. Win for Artyukhin.

2. Matthew Barnaby vs. Zdeno Chara

David: Matthew Barnaby - 6'1" 190 lbs

Goliath: Zdeno Chara - 6'9" 255 lbs

Size Difference: 8 inches, 65 pounds

The Outcome: It's hard to fight someone with the arm span of a Boeing 747, but Barnaby tried...and failed in this spirited bout. Win for Chara. 

1. P.J. Stock vs. Steve McKenna

David: P.J. Stock - 5'10" 195 lbs

Goliath: Steve McKenna - 6'8" 252 lbs

Size Difference: 10 inches, 57 pounds

The Outcome: Stock gives up nearly a foot to McKenna but still somehow manages to control the fight and hit him with some damaging punches in this true David vs. Goliath fight. Win for Stock.