Nope, just following Oda hints.
Luffy has been talking about beating Kaido since the beginning of Wano and still haven't. Kaido is the type of character how can be easily hurts or stay down from punches. Oda even stated in an interview that Kaido isn't the type of person who will be defeated by being punched to death. Remember, even though Kaido has faced Yonkos and the Marines only Oden and Zoro have scarred him.