Most of these are just random clashes, some he didn't even really win.
And you're implying that Shamrock or Garling or someone like that will be sent to Elbaf just to be reduced to another Zoro opponent?
Would it not make more sense if he just killed Sommers and Sanji killed Killingham and the effects of that force Imu to retreat to Mariejois due to the pain and stress it causes him whenever a HK/Gorosei die?
I didn't claim Zoro would necessarily have a big, conclusive fight. I never stated that he would win.
I could well see a scenario of:
Zoro > Sommers
Sanji > Killingham
Imu ≠ In great agony, in need of rescue to go back
Luffy & Loki ≠ Spent forces like Garp & Roger
Shamrock (alone or + Garling) arrive to rescue Imu. But first he plans to kill Luffy and Loki, like his dad did with exhausted Xebec. Like Kuma could have done with Luffy post Moriah. Like Green Bull planed to do with SHP post Kaido & Big Mom.
This is when Zoro (alone or + Sanji) stops Shamrock. Outnumbered and with Imu in agony he retreats. Perfect set up for Zoro vs Shamrock further down the line, swordsman vs swordsman.