@Tfmonkey I like the fake telegraphed punch that is actually a kick to the groin while your fist pulls back. From there, the process is the same. Knee to the face while "helping" their head down. For flavor, add the thumbs into the eye sockets right after, which I hear you're a fan off too. *chef's kiss*
@sardonicsmile
The biggest reason these things fail, in my opinion, is related to what you said -- everyone thinks they're going to get first blood. You have to spend a huuuge amount of time getting used to receiving incoming hits, actually being hit, and being able to make something happen amidst it. And as you said, the BEST way to win is to avoid the fight altogether.
But I have used a light knee to the gut of a much larger opponent and made him react in a way that would receive a face-knee.