Great points guys.
I see what you all mean by how Ripa's foolishness and ego helped get him killed. How he likes to toy with his enemy. Sergeant Forge was focused. He is also a great soldier.
That's a pretty good point. I still always thought that no matter how good of a soldier he is, he's still human. In this is situation though, he would have his Combat Knife.
So how about now we discuss who would win between Thel and Ripa?
Situation: Both have two Energy Swords but do not have to use them both. They can use both, one, or none. They are in a plain flat landscape with no weather or obstacles or anything.