Usogui and Batuque are vastly different in their main genres. Comparing the two is possible, sure, but if you don't like either manga's non-combat aspect, then it's an unfair comparison from the start.
Really glad his next manga was a fighting manga. I always felt he must have really enjoyed depicting those fights in Usogui with all of that flair, now it is the mainstay.
Agreed. It feels like the author understands how to handle this series way better in comparison to his gambling manga. From how the character arcs/dynamics are executed, to how stakes are handled, to the character designs, and flare of the world. Solid step up imo.