Smaug vs. the Balrog: Why I Think the Dragon Wins This Middle-earth Fight

Smaug against a Balrog looks like a clash between two giant flame monsters, but there's more to it than that. While the fight is close, I think Smaug wins.

Why the Balrog seems like the favorite

Smaug is a dragon, while a Balrog is the equivalent of a fallen angel, an ancient supernatural being that has existed since before the creation of the world. Durin's Bane destroyed the dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm, killed its king and fought Gandalf in a battle that lasted for days. Gandalf won, but the fight killed him too. Balrogs can also wield supernatural weapons such as flaming swords and whips, and as spirits of fire and shadow, they leave Smaug's fire unlikely to do much.

Why Smaug has the edge

Being supernatural doesn't instantly make you stronger than everything else in Middle-earth. Smaug conquered the Lonely Mountain, destroyed the kingdom of Dale, and was so heavily armored that weapons were close to useless against him. In the Hobbit movies, he's bigger than multiple 747 airplanes and can smash through buildings and destroy entire cities alone.

He also has powerful jaws, claws and, most importantly, flight. Despite what the movies might suggest, Tolkien never clearly said Balrogs can fly. Smaug could attack from above and potentially crush a Balrog under his weight. Balrogs aren't invincible either: Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs, was killed by Ecthelion, and Durin's Bane fell to Gandalf.

Smaug's size, strength and flight give him more ways to control the fight. Ultimately, I think the dragon is too much.