straight fight

noun

1. a contest between two candidates only

Example Sentences

Ferrari’s one-three moved them ahead of Red Bull into second in the constructors’ championship, which now looks to be a straight fight between McLaren and Ferrari, with Red Bull out of contention.

From BBC

In Brechin, Angus, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross boarded a steam train as he claimed seats across Scotland would be a “straight fight” between his party and the SNP, who remain the largest party in the country.

From BBC

Max Verstappen, the man who Norris has become the first to beat in a straight fight this year, was the first.

From BBC

There was a certain symbolism to the fact that the first race this season in which Verstappen has been beaten in a straight fight was at the event after it was announced that Adrian Newey was leaving Red Bull.

From BBC

There was a bit of confusion when the safety car picked up Verstappen rather than Norris and the field had to be let past to run around and catch up behind Norris, but now it came down to a straight fight between the McLaren and the Red Bull.

From BBC