The context here is self defense. Not fighting in bars, gang melees, or whatever. Part of that is avoiding fights by defusing confrontations. Another aspect is defense with controlled escalation. First, you get out of the way. If that's insufficient, you trip them. If that's insufficient, you take them down. If that's insufficient, you incapacitate them.

There are many schools of Aikido. I studied in an American dojo that incorporated street-fighting skills. Also substantial work with staff and wooden sword.