Oda nerfed the Admirals so much:
Akainu in MF: Destiny stopped him
Fujitora: his good heart stopped him
Greenbull: the Film Red promo stopped him
Kuzan: his emotional conflict stopped him
Kizaru: the same as Kuzan
Akainu in MF: Destiny stopped him
Fujitora: his good heart stopped him
Greenbull: the Film Red promo stopped him
Kuzan: his emotional conflict stopped him
Kizaru: the same as Kuzan
Prior instances really didn't serve any purpose besides hype stuff. It's also no coincidence we got Sanji reminiscing about Vegapunk and their dialogue cut out precisely when it did to lead is into this chapter so neatly and everything and their comments fit. It seems like he had that planned out since the first chapter of the arc how he placed them.