I think you're assuming that the person who was hit first would try to fight mano-a-mano. During my life, I've fought people who were obviously bigger than me. And at those encounters, realizing that I was overmatched, I've picked up a chair, a clothing iron, and even a cast iron skillet, once, to even out the situation. This happened instinctively; I didn't even think.
Once, when I was in 5th grade, this huge boy had me in a choke-hold. I wasn't able to wiggle loose, but I bit the shit out of his arm. He let go and said that I wasn't "fighting fair." Bullshit! It wasn't my fault that I was short and about 70 pounds, while he weighed about 3 times me and was at least a foot taller. And it also wasn't my fault that he had his arm near my mouth.
If a dude--especially one whom I thought I loved and who I thought loved me--hit me (first) because he was angry, and if he were bigger and stronger, I suspect that I'd pick up the nearest object and swat the hell out of him. Maybe some of the other people who've posted messages in this thread would do the same.
I agree. People will do what they have to do especially if it's a potentially dangerous situation.

