User blog comment:Kogath/Monster Hunter Generations Discussion/@comment-6050823-20161003221508/@comment-26034899-20161006224436

Hey, I'm not completely undermining Astalos as a fighter; I'm pretty sure he would have the better win-loss record, considering all the advantages he has, such as being flame-retardant and having control over electricity, but he probably wouldn't win all his fights with the Rathalos.

Rathy, while he may be the series' answer to Worf and Wolverine (only with a much less spotty win-loss record, if only because they've been around a lot longer than he has), has proven himself adaptable in the past, so if he were to survive his fight (a bit unlikely though, considering how brutal his rival is), he could potentially learn from his mistakes and put up a better fight against his rival. And being more instictive than his more calculating rival, Astalos could potentially be provoked into making mistakes like the Lagiacrus did back in Tri.

It's anyone's game, really, but I wouldn't put it past Rathalos to outsmart his rival. I'll eat my words if Rathy continues his downward spiral and becomes a glorified Great Jaggi, though.