One of their earliest and most iconic clashes happens in Uncanny X-Men #213 during the “Mutant Massacre” storyline. Sabretooth infiltrates the X-Mansion, and Wolverine, wearing his brown-and-tan uniform, is the first line of defense. What follows is a brutal, claustrophobic fight inside the halls of the school. It’s not just fists and claws—this battle is psychological. Sabretooth is there to hurt, not just win. Wolverine, though savage, is also protecting others. It’s one of those early moments that solidified their rivalry as something deeper than hero vs. villain—it’s predator vs. predator.
In Wolverine #10 (1989), we get a flashback that cements the emotional core of their hatred. Wolverine remembers a time in his past when Sabretooth murdered Silver Fox, the woman he loved. The issue contrasts that memory with a present-day encounter where the two come to blows again. You feel the history between them in every strike. Sabretooth mocks Logan for caring, for trying to live like a human. Logan, fueled by rage and pain, lashes out with a fury that feels both righteous and desperate. It’s not about winning—it’s about making the other feel it.
Their fight in Wolverine #90 (1995) might be the most intense. It’s violent, visceral, and nearly ends in death. This battle takes place deep in the snowy wilderness, away from everything and everyone. They don’t hold back. Wolverine, pushed to his breaking point, stabs Sabretooth through the brain with one of his claws in a single, clean, shocking moment. For a while, readers thought that was the end of Victor Creed. The art by Adam Kubert makes it unforgettable—savage, snowy, and drenched in emotion.
In the Sabretooth: Death Hunt miniseries (1993), Sabretooth is positioned as more of a twisted anti-hero, but Wolverine still plays a role. Their dynamic here is all about how little either of them trusts the other, even when they’re forced to interact. Every time they meet, it’s like a powder keg—one insult away from an explosion.
Then there’s Wolverine: Origins #5, where Logan learns that Sabretooth may have known more about his past than he ever let on. The betrayal is massive. Their fight is less about physical damage and more about psychological warfare. Logan’s trying to piece together his fractured identity, and Victor is using every opportunity to twist the knife deeper, emotionally speaking.
Finally, in Wolverine #50 (2007), the rivalry takes another turn. Wolverine captures Sabretooth and chains him up in a cabin. What follows is a brutal, slow-burn interrogation that turns into an all-out, bone-shattering brawl. It ends with Logan unleashing the Muramasa Blade—a sword that can kill mutants permanently. The stakes are higher than ever, and Wolverine finally kills Sabretooth… or so he thinks.
Across all these fights, one thing is constant: neither of them ever truly wins. Sabretooth is the nightmare that keeps coming back, and Wolverine is the wounded animal who refuses to be broken. Their battles are more than just fights—they're a recurring war of identity, morality, and instinct. Each one leaves scars, both visible and internal.