Comment by Haebom on Kimetsu No Yaiba - Chapter 98

Just bc Akaza is just a rank difference from Douma doesn't really mean Douma is stronger than him.  I would most likely say they're equal tho.  Bc between those 2 it's Douma who was defeated at the end while Akaza was not but decided to end his life and accept his fate after he regain memories of his beloved wife he dearly love when he was a human.