In the O/P it sounds as if Iron Bear's opponent is jamming/crowding, intentionally attempting to limit your options, which as you said is OK if your inside punching/striking skillset is sound. Generally with Kenpo people I've found it to be so. As stated above, movement is key to open these other technique options up to you. It breaks down to one of two concepts, either get away from them or get them away from you. You could blast them backwards perhaps if you catch them with a strike to mid-body, maybe, immediately step down and initiate spin, right? That's one example, and works well in sparring though not necessarily "fighting" situations. Another idea to consider is diagonal movement, which if you have practiced the footwork can get you off the line of an inbound attack and put you on-line for your own turning/spinning technique.
A simple example could be: Initiate jab, cross round kick combo (if you are fighting southpaw as I like to do sometimes, it'd be R-jab, L-cross and L-kick[on the kick it's what's your pleasure, I worked on this combo a lot when I was in my Muay Thai phase so for me it was a leg kick, but could be whatever you like]. In my example this clockwise-rotation would move me in and to the right a bit, and if one steps out to the right to the correct distance, the step-down and turn right into the R-leg back, or reverse side or hook kick is right there. It's a natural flow and you are going around your opponent forcing them to turn and change distance as you do it.
The issue is making sure that the L-kick lands and causes movement, distraction or reaction, so that while you spin he/she has no opportunity to attack your back. Just like with any such event when you expose your back, which is usually not a good idea in a "fight," but in sport, it's a different thing. Game vs life, as it were.
