It is not possible to beat a superior enemy without captain planet light powers and exceptional arrogance. Call it the weakness they need so much. Sephiroth wanted to make Cloud suffer before killing him.
In Dragon Ball Z Cell had the chance to come back, ready his Kame Hame-Ha and teleport right behind Gohan to win but he didn't. 95% of the villains who are at least as powerful as the heroes lose against their own arrogance.