LogFAQs > #880566159

Side steps are a thing. And the MMX and MMZ series have a specific ability/gameplay mechanic used to traverse short distances extremely quickly that you can attack directly out of.

And if Mega Man lands a punch, what's stopping Zero from landing one right back? Even if you think he leads with a Star Uppercut and successfully lands it, it's not going to finish the fight and Zero will know what to look for it in the future. Mega Man games are about pattern recognition and dodging, and Zero is just plain better at lore wise and mechanics wise than Mega Man is.