User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 497: The Winter Mage, Review./@comment-24784846-20160808184057/@comment-4449950-20160809055615

It's because Gray has been put up against ice users SO MANY FREAKIN' times that it's just dry now. We've had Lyon, Ultear and Silver already and I personally just wish Mashima would be more creative with his match-ups. Plus, with Mavis and his friends on the line, it's obvious what the outcome will be. There's no suspense here at all (at least for me) and that's why his upcoming fight holds no appeal .-.

I could be wrong (I pray I am) but at this stage and looking at all the other fights this arc, I doubt I am. Only thing that'll make this a teensy bit better is if Juvia does not participate at all.