After additional investigation, including examination of the lion, we have confirmed the victim's account that he was able to suffocate the animal while defending himself from the attack.
@HylianUsual In this image you are approximately 26 poop emojis tall. Your head is approximately 4 emojis tall. The average height of a human skull is 9.4 inches. 26/4 is 6.5. 6.5 x 9.4 inches is 61.1 inches which is 5”1