Wouldn't be the first time a man took a serious swing at me, starting with daddy. I eventually learned three rules:
1. Don't stand still and wait for it.
2. If it ain't nailed down it'll probably make a weapon, projectile or shield.
3. In close quarters, hair pulling, testicle twisting and eye gouging are all completely acceptable when your assailant outweighs you by about 100 lbs. Meanwhile, from a distance, kitchen cutlery, plates, glasses and scalding liquids will usually encourage the biggest, baddest mofo duck for cover even temporarily (at least long enough to grab the big knife).
But that shit was a long, long time ago (thank the gods). Damned miserable way to live.
Of course, if worst comes to worst you can always get him really, really drunk (maybe throw in a little cold medication), drag his ass off to bed and when he's snoring really, really soundly, douse the bed in gasoline and pitch a match at it. Granted, you have to be willing to do some time, but I also firmly believe there are people that are worth going to jail for.