As I understand it, the F-22 is the best dogfighter in the world and is also stealthy. The F-35 is a stealthy aircraft that also happens to be a pig. If stealth is compromised, the F-22 is still a fine, probably the best fighter. The F-35 is a pig. If because of numbers, surprise, malfunctions, or acts of God, the F-22 gets in a merge, it is still going to be the best aircraft and will likely prevail unless something really bad happens. If the same happens with the F-35, that pilot is going to be in trouble if he is fighting a capable opponent.
The F-35 seems to be an aircraft that is completely dependent on stealth and BVR missiles to be effective. Without those, it is a pig. If we fight China or someone like that, numbers alone mean that it is going to have to do some dogfighting.
