Yeah GRRM thinks too much of his characters, he wrote a match between Jaime Lannister and Rand Al'thor, and Jaime won. Absolutely ridiculous a guy who can wield magic that can burn people out of time vs a guy with a sword.
Being Magic Jesus does that. I think Martin's comments probably refer to pure swordplay, with The Grand Sister Banger being a contender for the most skilled swordsman on the continent he might be able to take Rand if you stripped his subconscious reality bending and channeling.