Its a tough decision, you probably did the right thing because pussy isnt worth getting your arse kicked for. As a martial artist I know I can handle myself, so when something like this happens It doesn't bother me, unless Im severly outnumbered.
It sounds to me like the guys are your typical blockhead idiots, they have a large pack and will fight other guys over petty things (some even carry weapons like knifes because they cannot fight). They can't really think for themselves and basically just go out and waste all there money. We call them "neds" where im from.
You need to be very careful in situations like these, by the way kudos for approaching a mixed group. I tend to avoid mixed groups for the very reason you ended up in haha.
Peace
