...and I feel they are going to? Can I hit them first? (If them going away wasn't happening)

The law makes it so they have the drop on you first I don't like that because one punch and you crack your head open on the concrete and your dead.
At that range and with tunnel Vision from adrenalin you often don't have time to react. Its not like boxing because they set you up distract you 1st etc
Great advice guys thanks!