The average male bengal tiger can defeat the average male african lion.

- Weight- Both of these felines are very similar, however, the Bengal tiger is slightly larger than the African lion, giivng it an advantage in a 1v1 confrontation. Not only is the Bengal tiger larger, but, on average weights more than the lion. The African lion average around 170-180kg, while the Bengal tiger average somewhere around the 210kg area. Wild Lions -Fighting capabilities-In a 1v1 scenario, each feline would grapple/wrestle with each other, both cats trying to land in good strikes. Though both lions and tigers have flexible forelimbs, the tiger's forearms are better designed for grappling and wrestling. For example, the AP diameter of the tiger's ulna and radius is greater than that of the African lion in absolute terms. This indicates the tiger's forearm bones, on average, will have a greater resistance to stressess along the AP axis compared to the lion. Therefore there is some pressure for increased bending strength along the AP axis which is reduced or absent on the lion, and thus also a preassure for increased strength in the muscles powering the motions of the forearm along the AP axis. This, combined with the tiger's greater leverage when extending the forearm, would indicate the tiger would have more power in motions such as pulling, pushing, and grip compared to the lion. Also, tigers are built closely towards smilodon and jaguars, while lions are more closely built towards cheetahs. Tigers forearms are much bigger if you compare them to a lion's, even though the vertical stripes hide muscle and veins. Tigers arms are built for tackling/wrestling, while a lion's forearms are more built for running, due to the fact they live in the plains. The Lion's humeroradial index (measure of its limb proportions), at 98.3, is closer to that of the Cheetah (101.3) than to that of the Tiger (89.8). RADIUS -S. fatalis (78.9) and P. tigris (82.4) = 3.5S. fatalis (78.9) and P. leo (89.5) = 10.6A. jubatus (100.1) and P. tigris (82.4) = 18.7A. jubatus (100.1) and P. leo (89.5) = 11.6The tiger is closer to S. fatalis (Smilodon) and the lion is closer to A. jubatus (Cheetah). Tigers generally fight on their hindlegs, enabling both paws to be used when fighting. On the other hand, lions generally fight on 3 paws, enabling only 1 paw to be used when fighting! In a fight, the tiger could be capable of striking the lion quickly, the lion unable to do the same. Here's some evidence of this: Notice how the lion was unable to block all of the tiger's fast strikes? -Fighting experience- Now, people always hear about the lion being the pitbull of the cat family, always willing to take on a threat. That is nothing more than propaganda. Here's what the leading lion expert had to say about the lion's desire to always fight : But "since a fight usually hurts both the attacker and defender, they mostly use other methods of dissuasion - particularly bluffing. …… the male may stand broadside to a stranger displaying his mane and making himself appear large and impressive. Such bluffs usually succeed" (Page 60, Wonders of Lions. George & Kay Schaller. ). Along with the fact lions avoid serious fighting, they also usually fight in coalitions. Fighting in coalitions enhances the chances of a pride being taken over, which is smart. However, this would turn out to be a disadvantage in a fight against a male tiger. This is because of the fact, tigers, in the wild, do not fight in coalitions, but by themselves. Because of this, tigers generally show higher mortality rates from fighting compared to lions. In some areas of India, mortaliy rates can be up to 35% for male tigers! It would also be interesting to know that Dr. George Schaller(lion expert) favors the tiger over the lion, and states the 1v1 experience of the tiger is one of his reasons why he favors the tiger. In conclusion, I have proved the tiger's limb are better designed for grappling/wrestling, while the lion's are not. I have also proved that the lion avoids serious fighting, lacks 1v1 expereince, and is smaller and weighs less than a tiger. I await my opponent's response.