It matters, because when LHC was fighting DFBB alone, DFBB was able to either deflect or stop all his attacks head on with the needle, all by moving his arm without needing to retreat at all. XLN would not be able to do that, and so would need to retreat/advance again, which would take much longer (relatively).
Actually, DFBB moved first. At the start of the fight, LHC was watching him carefully, and as soon as he saw his sleeve move, he attacked back. DFBB pricked him, then retracted his arm and blocked the sword without retreating. After that, LHC attacked several times and was blocked each time, then DFBB attacked his eye, at which point LHC thrust back. DFBB pricked his eyebrow, and only then did he jump aside.