That should be the next cage match!

Re: Ivan
***MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS***
Quick Ben is a squad-mage of malazan army, not even a high-mage and is NOT the most powerful character in the Malazan world. In the first book itself, Anomander Rake (archmage, ascendent, could have been but refused to be a god) dwarfs all others in terms of sheer power and character.
What makes QB interesting and likeable is his audacity to challenge gods, a matching intellect to outmaneuver them and an awesome squad to support him.
Its much later in the series when most of his original squad is dead, that he starts to exercise his magic muscles to bring down the high and mighty, but by then he is just a side character.
This book is about the fallen, no matter how powerful you are, you can fall and even gods can be torn asunder.
What I want to say is that this series is a damn good read and may seem over the top with our fanboy rantings. To have a look at other series, that’s what this match is about

other than that, well done.

Rather than trolling your post as is the tendency here. I would rather say that I have read the WoT series, the Fiest lot as well and quite simply the Malazan series is very good.
You would be doing yourself a disservice by not reading it if you are a fantasy fan. This whole “cage match” thing seems very emotive because fantasy fans are generally very attached to their heroes and heroines.
Having read most fantasy series out there, I would advise you to read the Malazan lot in order. Most fantasy suffers from linear plot progression from primary and secondary plotlines. When convergence occurs, generally the conflict is resolved, perpetrator revealed and ultimately overcome.
What makes Erickson different is the sheer number of plot’s and characters. Normally fantasy novels have a variance of perspective, that is a strategic one a mid-level perspective of notable characters and a “on the ground” or operational perspective. Erickson has some confusion in this regard, but the story is worthwhile.
Also Erickson does a good job of not over explaining things.
The line between good and evil is vague at best and you get to follow a plot line which forces you to empathise with a protagonist which would be classically described as being on the wrong side.
It’s a good read and well worth the time.
As the series isn’t really finished I am enjoying the author’s masterful handling of the climax and the development of the multiple plotlines.