Jiujitsu is one of the things that is so amazing to learn, but you hope that you never have to use this in a real like scenario. However, Drew Gornall, who is a certified Gracie Jiu-jitsu instructor had to put his Jiu-Jitsu to the test. Luckily, for everyone involved, this had a happy and positive outcome.

Drew Gornall tells his side of the story. It was 11:45pm at his house in the the Santa Cruz area, which he says is not the safest place, and he saw a homeless man with a big rock in his hand. Drew is in his truck and they make eye contact, and shortly after, the homeless man smashed one of the car windows.

You would think the homeless man would have stopped. But that’s not the case. He proceeds to go to the next car window and do the same thing. That’s where Drew had enough and confronts this man. He tells him to put the rock down.

A chase ensues at this point as the homeless man runs into Drew’s apartment complex. Finally, they face each other and Drew tells him to put the rock down. That’s when the homeless man decides to throw the rock at Drew.

In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu style, Drew covers himself and the rock does hit his body. Then the homeless guys runs away and Drew follows him in flip flops. And catches him.

The homeless guy yells “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me” and Drew snaps him down and the homeless man ends up in the turtle position. Drew jumps on his back in the backpack position.

Here’s where the story gets even better.

As all this is happening. Drew’s neighbor comes out and tells him he has his phone and backpack. What does Drew say?

“Turn on the phone, start filming!”

Drew is able to even unlock his phone and that’s where the video starts. Eventually, Drew breaks the homeless guy down and falls to the ground and is able to put on a choke. But he decides against choking him.

Then he gets him in a full nelson. And in what is probably one of the best promos for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Drew says to the camera:

“Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, we don’t have to hurt anybody. Hold him down ‘il the cops come. Find a CTC in your area!”

Then the cops do arrive and this has a happy ending.

What’s amazing is that Drew is a purple belt and was actually teaching Gracie jiu-jitsu as a blue belt. So what does this scenario teach us?

You don’t have to be a black belt to subdue an unskilled opponent. What’s important is learning the basic body controls and this is what will help you out in a real street fight. Had drew decided to berimbolo the homeless man, maybe the outcome would have been different. But the fact that he was able to protect himself against a rock and control his opponent shows you just how effective Jiu-jitsu is.

Congrats Drew on displaying your skill and for taking the initiative to confront someone who was doing harm. Oss! You can watch the video and interview below.