Fighting is ok in some circumstances, in your situation it is perfectly fine In my opinion as they were mocking you and making you feel low so give them a taste of there own medicine .

Fighting might make you feel like a 'big man' but believe me makes you more of a 'bigger man' to walk awake

Fighting over name calling is pointless and immature. I'm a chill guy and the only time I'd ever fight someone / have ever fought someone is in self defense when they hit me first.

On principle I think the main problem with the world isn't the minority of people who think that violence is fun or a good tool for making people do what they want them to do.
I think the main problem with the world is the majority of people who say that 'Violence is OK under certain circumstances.'

Once you say that, the listener can interpret 'certain circumstances' in any way they want. That means that ISIS can say that their violence is OK under their circumstances.
That means that Hitler could say that his violence was OK under his circumstances.

More people need to simply say that violence is not OK under any circumstance.

However, I would also say that there are two main kinds of violence and it is a very important distinction to make when talking about it.

1) Violence from a rational position.

We are all sitting comfortably now, discussing the application of violence in real world situations, we are in a position where rational thought is possible.
It is easy for me to logic away the use of violence in this situation.

2) Violence from an irrational position.

If I was on the ground being beaten to death by someone who just wants me dead, I will not be in a rational position.
My animal instincts will take over and I will fight back, whether I, in the rational position, would want to or not.

People like ISIS, Boko Haram and the leaders of countries when wars are about to begin, they are not in an irrational position.
They can think about what they are doing in a rational way. They have that capability.

If they hear from the majority of people in the same rational situation that 'Violence is OK under certain circumstances' they are far more likely to commit to starting that war, or raiding that village.
If, on the other hand, they are told by the majority of people that 'Violence is not acceptable under any circumstance' they are more likely to reconsider starting that war. They are more likely to look for other diplomatic routes.

When it comes to something like OP's situation, I think that you should have taken a step back and tried to calm down.
Words cannot break jaws, they can't knock out teeth, paralyze, or even kill if they connect in the wrong place.
Words should never be punished with violence, even the most abhorrent. That sets a dangerous precedent for your future and it's a very Orwellian view to have.

I'm not one for force but sometimes it has to be done, depends on the situation i guess.

You might think its cool and fun, but one day you'll pick on the wrong person and you'll be sat down, when that happens you might re-think about what you're doing. IMO, I don't bother with fighting, I just ignore whoever is annoying me or whatever.

Was raised to fight. Never knew I time when it wasn't a bad idea if need be. I know when to walk away from one and when to stand my ground. If it has to happen make sure you swing first because the first punch could be the last punch. My dad always said if you don't start it I won't be mad but if you start if for no reason I'm going to beat your ass for doing it.

Fighting is a strong thing to do, it shows you got the courage to fight the problem not only that but to stick up for yourself. That must of changed your friends attitude when they saw you, right? Fighting for me is a no, no for me. What the point when you'll get into trouble and I CBA for that so I'll tell them what I think don't care what he think or what other people think but at the end of the day you standed your ground and that's the may purpose of a fight.

-Deano wrote You'll realise when you're much older that the kind of people who do stuff like that don't matter.

Parents always say "just ignore them" and it's difficult but the best way to go through with it.
At the end of the day, whoever was bullying you is just a waste of time and effort for you.

To me, fighting is pointless. My attitude in life is that I don't care what people think, I will do as I please and if they don't like it, I don't care (within reason). It also helps that the kind of personality I have is that I am easy-going and easy approachable so I don't really find myself within conflict too often.

You can't always just ignore them though. Sometimes people cross the line. What if someone is inches away from your face screaming and yelling directly at you just to belittle you? That's when you clock em & drop em.