A former Australian jiu-jitsu champion has saved a tourist from being robbed on a Sydney street after wrestling with the alleged assailant for 15 minutes while flesh was allegedly bitten out of his arm and capsicum spray was shot in his eyes.

To the rescue: Jiu-jitsu Thiago Braga. Credit:Cole Bennetts

Thiago Braga, 32, was driving on Harris Street, Pyrmont, on Saturday morning when he came across a distressed tourist, yelling in pain, rubbing his eyes and clutching for his stolen bag.

The 23-year-old Indonesian man had allegedly been capsicum sprayed by another man while out for a morning walk.