I'm not really a regular brawler and never have been and plan not to be. I have had a few scraps a while back in school and a couple within the last 6 months since I've been doing BJJ. What I have learned in BJJ I feel has made me aware and confident in a fight. I have a short temper and have backed away too many times and looked weak in my life that I'm stubborn and will fight. I'm not tough, but hate the feeling of "I should of done this". Situation one, me and a friend were drunk, he threw a punch that landed and I was able to recover quick, double leg take down, mount and make clear I could beat him senseless but I chose not to. Situation two, sorta similar, this time, a dood in the club keeps throwing 'bows at a girl I am with and at some friends. He is drunk, like me, except more out of hand. he hit me, my friends and this girl one too many times. I 'bow him back, got his attention, before he swung I connected my own jab which floored him, I secured a mount and rained blows on him before security were called and I made a decisicon (being smart or being a pussy?) to run out the club.
I have used to take down and mount techniques which I'm happy I've learned in BJJ. I think otherwise, I would have either backed away or tried trading in a busy club which get scrappy & ends up by getting sweaty with a ripped shirt.