The one difference (maybe advantage, depends how you look at it) is if he thinks he HAS to keep going, then he might act with more desperation. Dive in, put his all into the next attack, since he figures he's only got once shot at it. Just a different decision point when it's (perceived as) a life/death situation, than when you can step back and flag the ref.What advantage do you think that gives?
Just saying fight to the death doesn't create mental toughness. Doing tough things does.
Gets me thinking: I want a ref with me on the street. Man, I'm just tapping out on everything if he's there.