Absolutely give it a go. I am about the same age as you and what I do is watch all the UFC , Bellator, BKFC, Boxing etc that I can and learn and practice from that. I have a heavy bag and practice every day the moves I see the pros do. Just watched a great You Tube video on what makes Canelo Alveraz so good and try to learn techniques from video's like that. My version of Nick Diaz's Stockton Slap and a good Spinning Back Elbow are my go to moves. Connect with a good elbow and its lights out and finish with a flurry of hammer fists. And use your knees and remember that in a street fight/self defense situation there are no rules and the main objective is to disable the other guy as quickly as possible so low kicks/knees are encouraged.
Remember the best defense is offence both verbally and physically.
So get a heavy bag and some good MMA style sparring gloves and your self confidence will improve out of sight and so will your fitness.