Hey guys, long time reader.

Been lifting 5x weekly for over a year (transformation on my profile) and want to get into some sort of self-defense class. Last summer I was dancing/talking with two hot blondes in a club and had some jealous randoms walk up and try to fight me - the girls didn't know them. They were 6 inches shorter, same weight, but prob +15% bodyfat. I knew the guy who was head of security at the bar who is a "gracie-trained BJJ brown belt" (i try to make friends with all the bouncers) - he was standing 15 feet away and I called his first name, he jumped in immediately and grabbed the guys, then 4 other bouncers saw him and helped out. I went back to dancing like nothing happened. The 2 got thrown out into the parking lot.

I don't want this to happen again, because I might not have good friends around. Issue is, I have routine surgeries on my abdominal area because of a disease. For example, I spent nearly half of Feb in the hospital and left with nearly 30 staples in me. This is the norm for me. I see these Muay Thai videos of guys sparring and kicking each other in the abs, and I know I can't handle a hit there. I'm not overly flexible because of the resections so was thinking a standing martial art is better?

I'm not looking to do martial arts as a hobby as I have enough hobbies, but I just want to learn how to throw a punch without breaking my hand and handle the odd skinny-fat college kid who tries to fight.

What are my options for learning how to protect myself? thanks guys.