I´ve walked away from most fights I´ve gotton into, most because I was attacked. Not because it´s the grown up thing to do perse, but because usually no good can come out of it. They/he hits me, I hit them back, then I have to watch my back for a few weeks due to promised retaliation ending with my certain demise (which never comes). If I hit someone too hard because I know how to defend myself, they might take it out on some other bloke because of their anger.
Having practiced several martial arts for eight years I have to say I was surprised to be able to stand my ground against fifteen guys and walk away without a hostpital check in. It was nothing too bad, though I was an idiot for getting involved (They were throwing stuff at people, grabbing personal belongings and pushing people off their bikes. I actually saw people running away in tears so I stopped to comment, and then they attacked me because I hade commented on their antisocial behaviour and that it frightened people. It was only when they started surrounding me that I started counting and this 'oh crap' factor started growing. I received some blows most of which I was able to parry, then I said 'well, Ill be off now', and was able to cycle away. I'm not saying I could have beaten them all, I couldnt have. No way. But I managed to get away in one piece, which is good enough for me.
Tin Man said:
Martial arts is only really any good when fighting other martial artists.
Real street fights are either pushy slap fests, or brutal, fast and violent affairs that last seconds. Fancy kicks and jumping and silly spinning punches and all that shit, worthless.
Weight advantage matters a lot, but I can tell you from experience that even the biggest man has 2 weaknesses. The obvious is one. A hard punch to the throat is another.
In answer to the title question - I'd hold up in a fight. Both seconds of it.
Yeah, weight matters. I once sparred a guy twice (!) my weight and I had a really hard time wearing him down. I was better trained, faster and in better shape than he was, but damn. The only thing that worked on him was a front kick to the solar plexus (his face was too high, and throat, joints and groin were off limits for competition)
Having trained in mostly practical martial arts (like krav maga) and having ´fought´ both experienced and inexperienced fighters I have to say that people that show a distict type of martial arts training are more predictable but also more dangerous (they know what they are doing). I'm very glad I was able to dodge a few kicks to the head for example.
I don't like fighting, never did, probably never will. If I don't have to, I won't. I've actually only hit someone once in my life (outside of training). Usually I just evade, dodge, block and throw them on the ground, then repeat. This doesnt work too well with more than three though, the minute you throw the fourth on the floor, the first one is already up and trying to punch you.
Personally I'd only get myself into a fight if someone I knew, and probably am close to, was hurt beyond proprotions, I would step up. I used to help people out or try to break up fights on the streets (and thus attract attention and punches), but not no more. It isnt really my problem until I make it mine. Sounds kind of stupid now that I think about it (I have the training to stop people from getting hurt any further) but in my experience, it doesnt work out very well even if I try to help. One time I was braking up a fight of one versus four, and ended up with the one guy also being mad at me. What gives? Having said that, I still interfere if I see someone on the ground getting pounded while being helpless to defend him or herself, or if the odds are unfair (5 to 1)
) for the more advanced stuff, jujitsu is also quite useful, the great thing about those two is if you use them right you'll probably never need to fight anyone.
