combat-ready vs fighting

combat-ready is not a noun while fighting is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
combat-ready	No	Yes	No	No
fighting	Yes	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, combat-ready and fighting are synonyms defined as:

combat-ready and fighting: engaged in or ready for military or naval operations

Other synonyms of combat-ready include active.

combat-ready (noun)	fighting (noun)
	the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

combat-ready (adjective)	fighting (adjective)
engaged in or ready for military or naval operations	engaged in or ready for military or naval operations