Almost certainly yes. While plants can be deadly, humans and other animals as opponents would have been more entertaining.
Gladiators!
Spartacus was born a Thracian.
Both of them became champion in the House of Bathiatus. Gladiators who never lost any battle in the arena. But I think Gannicus is more skilled because he fought blind-folded in one of the episodes of "Gods of the Arena" prequel of Starz's Spartacus and still won.
Blood and Sand Gods of the Arena Vengeance
Spartacus Gods of the Arena - 2011 Paterfamilias 1-3 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:16 USA:TV-MA
Spartacus Gods of the Arena - 2011 Reckoning 1-5 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:16 USA:TV-MA
Spartacus Gods of the Arena - 2011 Missio 1-2 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:16 USA:TV-MA
Think Hero TV - 2009 Spartacus Gods of the Arena Preview was released on: USA: 10 January 2011
They had the fighting arena where the gladiator and animal would fight. They would starve the animal for 3 days so it would be starving, and keep it in the dark and then be thrusted out into the sunny arena. Under the arena they have the areas where the gladiator and animal wait. If the animal survives and kills the gladiator, it would be thrust into another fight where a trained gladiator to kill wild animals would kill it.
The "Spartacus" television series consists of four main seasons: "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," "Spartacus: Vengeance," and "Spartacus: War of the Damned." There are no additional series or spin-offs beyond these four. The series concluded in 2013, wrapping up the story of Spartacus and the rebellion.
Spartacus Gods of the Arena - 2011 Past Transgressions 1-1 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:16 USA:TV-MA
Spartacus Gods of the Arena - 2011 The Bitter End 1-6 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:16 USA:TV-MA