Very good story that you have commented to illustrate this point that I wanted to highlight, through the story of the fight in the bar. A clear example that the best fight is the one that is avoided, especially if we consider that it was not the person you pinned down who had attacked you, it would have been very bad to attack someone who was not.
With the passage of time without practice, I must assume that the skills are lost, however, there are some latent reflexes out there, a kind of body memory.
Thank you very much for your comment @sports.guy55 , it is one of those comments that are not very common to see, that contribute, that add to the post.