Maybe you’ve recently seen this news story.

A BJJ instructor found himself in a road rage incident involving a gun, and used his grappling skills to subdue the aggressor and walk away unharmed. BJJ fan boys everywhere rejoiced.

Or is it that simple?

The confrontation began around 3:40 p.m. when the martial arts instructor made a right turn and pulled out in front of Kang’s car on Dedham Street, according to the police report. He told police that a snow bank blocked his view.

Kang blew his horn, flashed his lights, and continued to follow the driver, the report said.

They pulled over onto a residential side street and got out of their cars.

By getting out of his car, the MA instructor decided to expose himself to unnecessary risk. Although it may not sound very bad-ass, staying in your car and calling the police are better alternatives to dealing with a road rage situation. What happened next should be no surprise:

According to the martial arts instructor, Kang pointed the gun at him and said, “Do you want to go?” …

The martial arts instructor persuaded Kang to put his gun in his pocket, the report said. Then he charged Kang, pushed him to the ground, and wrapped his arm around his head.

When Kang struggled, the martial arts instructor struck him in the head and grabbed the gun, the report said.

Fortunately for the MA instructor, the situation ended without him getting shot. And by getting the gun back out, he re-introduced it into the situation, and created the potential for his attacker to regain it and use it. This entire situation was avoidable, so I have a hard time calling it self defense. It was an avoidable confrontation which both men voluntarily agreed to participate in. Remember, kids, MMA, BJJ or other martial art or sport training does not make you an expert on self defense. The guy in this case took a completely avoidable risk and got lucky.

99.9% avoidable.