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I suspect this is partly true:

Once they've had that fight, they both know who won, and their pecking order is established. Then life can go on with that settled.

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yes, but of course the "pecking order" is more complicated than that. oftentimes the victor (the "alpha") gains respect for his (defeated) opponent for having the balls to challenge him and is thereby far more liable to include him in matters of importance

fighters tend to respect fighters if they fight a clean fight

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