The vast majority of big, dangerous animals, are going to be sceptical about charging a confident, unafraid opponent. Making for the possibility to stand down lions, bears, moose, even rhinos.
The problem is, most people shit themselves, rightfully so, and are taken right down.
This is not a firm rule tho, and you might be unlucky, and get charged and eaten while totally confident.
The way it works - when it does - is that most animals are not sure what you can do. The idea that animals can recognize "the smell of humans" etc, is a big fat myth. Most animals have no clue what a human can do or can not do, and will therefore not risk anything by messing with one that appears confident and unafraid, since that - in natural language - means "I know I can kill you. You can try to guess, but in the meantime you'll die."
A fine example of this theory put into action:
A swedish old man. Chasing away a bear mother, being aggressive to protect her baby.
