User blog comment:Crimson and Darkness/Volume 25 discussion blog/@comment-32252462-20180321143728/@comment-34061653-20180321212708

No, Issei beat Cao Cao because he did something Cao Cao didn't expect. Apophis lost because Issei overpowered him despite being a bad match up. The point is just because you're a technique type doesn't automatically means you can beat Issei. Kiba has yet to prove he's on the level he can match Issei. He could perhaps beat BxB Issei but not CxC Issei. Saji is a technique type but he lost to Issei.