Ah. Sub-Zero could not win on a level playing field. Wait... Isn't this place like a labyrinth? Couldn't he just run? Stage ambushes? He IS a ninja afterall. Stealth can be his ally. No ammount of fire power will save Max if Sub-Zero is waiting for him to step somewhere and he does. Then, BAM! Down Max goes.

[I]Max walks around the corridors looking for his opponent. He can't decide whether to go up the ladder, or through the corridors to the right.

LADDER:
He starts to climb up the ladder. Sub-Zero freezes him while Max while he is climbing and therefor unable to fire accurately.

CORRIDORS:
He begins to walk down the corridors. Sub-Zero is above him, and sends down hits him with Polar Blast. Crashes down and knocks off Max's head.

Max can't compete with stealth ninjas. Just no way. This place is a ninja's dream.