Sukuna is just better yes he beated him by the help of mahoraga but he was still holding back and if you say gege hates gojo bruhhhhhhh its an anime its only heroes would won and sukuna is stronger Keep barking🤓
Honestly I'm confused on why Samuel wasn't a candidate either, bc I remember the fight they had and how he may have gotten knocked out first but he came back and won, and that's when goo showed up