I think it's great that he was able to walk away from two avoidable fights, even if it lost him face. I imagine if he couldn't, someone in his position would be getting into fights all the time. Sooner or later either he'd meet someone who could beat him, or else he'd beat someone else and get into trouble with the courts. (And I'd doubt the courts would smile on a martial arts expert who didn't control themselves.)

One of the benefits of strong self-defence skills is self-confidence, which is part of what enables you to walk away. You feel less need to prove yourself.