On average, a full-grown Bengal male tiger weighs around 230 kgs, while a full-grown African male lion weighs around 180 kgs. The significant difference in weight is due to a tiger's greater muscle mass. Both lions and tigers are approximately the same length, averaging 210 cm. But a lion is taller than a tiger - by about 10 cm at the shoulder, which gives the lion a slight advantage. The male lion has a mane around its neck that shields it from lethal bites aimed at its throat. The mane gives it a huge battle advantage, acting as a shield. Evolution led to the development of the mane in male lions, as they are lifelong warriors, fighting constant battles.
Both lions' and tigers' claws are 4 inches long; their canines are 3 inches and 4 inches long, respectively. The one-inch difference makes the bite of a tiger deeper and, therefore, more lethal. In a one-on-one combat between a male tiger and a male lion—both captive-bred (for example, in a zoo)—the tiger is likely to outclass the lion courtesy of its stronger muscle power. However, lions fight like maniacs - prepared to die but not relent. The tiger may back off if it realizes that it has come across such a maniac.
The combat dynamics, however, change in a one-on-one in the wild. This is because a male lion in the wild spends almost its entire lifetime fighting off other male lions - not to let them usurp its pride of lionesses and territory. Due to constant confrontations with equally matched opponents, a wild lion acquires tremendous combat prowess and becomes a formidable fighter. In the process, they also get so battle-worn that they survive for an average of only 10 years in the wild, 5 years less than a female lion.
On the other hand, tigers rarely have any showdowns with equally strong adversaries. They usually avoid fights with each other, using the tactic of intimidation. At times, a tiger lies down and shows its belly to the other as a sign of surrender, thus avoiding fights. While a male lion depends significantly on its pride for sustenance, a tiger hunts and subdues prey entirely alone. Yet, a tiger rarely confronts opponents as powerful as a male lion. Also, lions never back down in a combat; they turn maniacs in a combat and fight till death. A tiger may retreat if it senses something grave (due to their higher intelligence). Therefore, in a hypothetical one-on-one fight in the wild, both animals are evenly matched.
To conclude, a tiger is stronger than a lion, but a lion may still win in the wild due to their experience in heavyweight combat. However, a one-on-one fight between a lion and a tiger—both captive-bred—will almost always result in the tiger emerging victorious.
