--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the…" description: "\"I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a black belt and white belt is just a few elbows.\" — Curtis Blaydes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg" --- # I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a… ![“I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a black belt and white belt is just a few elbows.” quote by Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg) > “I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a black belt and white belt is just a few elbows.” [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In MMA, skill gaps between belt levels are minimal, emphasizing practical experience over titles. **In simple terms:** Black and white belts differ only slightly. Key Takeaway Focus on skill, not rank. Themes martial arts skill humility Mood pragmatic direct Type personal motivational When to use this quote - training sessions - coach feedback - competition prep Key Concepts rank technique Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure true skill? - What role does rank play in motivation? A Different Perspective Ranks still matter for credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belt/) [Belt Mma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belt-mma-5934614/) [Belt White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belt-white-1104713/) [Between](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/between/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black belt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-belt/) [Mma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mma/) [Mma Difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mma-difference-5934613/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) [White Belt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-belt-1053455/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [A black belt is a white belt who never quits!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renzo-gracie/a-black-belt-is-a-white-belt-who-never-quits/) [Renzo Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renzo-gracie/) > [I started training in martial arts when I was 7 years old. I got my first black belt at 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katheryn-winnick/i-started-training-in-martial-arts-when-i-was-7-years-old-i-got-my/) [Katheryn Winnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katheryn-winnick/) > [I'm a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and 2nd degree in karate, and I'm a licensed bodyguard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katheryn-winnick/i-m-a-3rd-degree-black-belt-in-tae-kwon-do-and-2nd-degree-in-karate/) [Katheryn Winnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katheryn-winnick/) > [I'm a black belt and have been since 2000.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-serra/i-m-a-black-belt-and-have-been-since-2000/) [Matt Serra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-serra/) > [I was awarded a second-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu by Rigan Machado.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-barnett/i-was-awarded-a-second-degree-black-belt-in-jiu-jitsu-by-rigan-machado/) [Josh Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-barnett/) > [I'm the first American black belt under Renzo Gracie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-serra/i-m-the-first-american-black-belt-under-renzo-gracie/) [Matt Serra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-serra/) > [I started doing martial arts when I was about 7, and I got my second degree black belt when I was 19. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-vandervoort/i-started-doing-martial-arts-when-i-was-about-7-and-i-got-my-second/) [Laura Vandervoort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-vandervoort/) > [It's not the black belt that you wear on your waist. It's the black belt in your heart and knowing that you can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-canino/it-s-not-the-black-belt-that-you-wear-on-your-waist-it-s-the-black/) [Bonnie Canino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-canino/) > [My training in martial arts was kind of a crash course in how to look like a black belt. I know the moves of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zabka/my-training-in-martial-arts-was-kind-of-a-crash-course-in-how-to-look/) [William Zabka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zabka/) > [I grew up doing martial arts, and I'm a second-degree black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-vandervoort/i-grew-up-doing-martial-arts-and-i-m-a-second-degree-black-belt/) [Laura Vandervoort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-vandervoort/) > [I started taekwondo at 5 or 6 years old and did a bunch of kick-boxing later, too. Eventually I became a black belt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jwoww/i-started-taekwondo-at-5-or-6-years-old-and-did-a-bunch-of-kick/) [JWoww](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jwoww/) > [By the time I was 17 years old, I already had my black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vitor-belfort/by-the-time-i-was-17-years-old-i-already-had-my-black-belt/) [Vitor Belfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vitor-belfort/) > [I never wear a black belt with a black shoe. It's always the opposite: a brown shoe with a black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-wooster/i-never-wear-a-black-belt-with-a-black-shoe-it-s-always-the-opposite/) [Nick Wooster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-wooster/) > [My martial arts came a lot from my uncle, who actually taught martial arts through the military. He was a black belt in tae…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tee/my-martial-arts-came-a-lot-from-my-uncle-who-actually-taught-martial/) [Brian Tee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tee/) > [Microsoft is still not a black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kutaragi/microsoft-is-still-not-a-black-belt/) [Ken Kutaragi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kutaragi/) ## More by Curtis Blaydes > [I can strike if I have to, but I'm not going to play that game, this is heavyweight. If I was a bantamweight or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-can-strike-if-i-have-to-but-i-m-not-going-to-play-that-game-this-is/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [It's not like basketball, football or rugby, where they judge you on potential. In this sport it's about 'what have you done lately' -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/it-s-not-like-basketball-football-or-rugby-where-they-judge-you-on/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [That's one thing I love about the NFL If you can't play, they're not going to pay you. They're going to release you. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/that-s-one-thing-i-love-about-the-nfl-if-you-can-t-play-they-re-not/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [I'm not a smack talker. I have a speech impediment. So if I try to talk smack and I start stuttering, that ruins the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-m-not-a-smack-talker-i-have-a-speech-impediment-so-if-i-try-to-talk/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [I believe in my conditioning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-believe-in-my-conditioning/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [It's always good to learn lessons, especially when you win and learn a lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/it-s-always-good-to-learn-lessons-especially-when-you-win-and-learn-a/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [I've already shown that I can strike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-ve-already-shown-that-i-can-strike/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [My focus is just taking every opponent and focusing on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/my-focus-is-just-taking-every-opponent-and-focusing-on-them/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [People who think the venue actually has a factor on the outcome of the fight, I don't know what to tell you besides I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/people-who-think-the-venue-actually-has-a-factor-on-the-outcome-of/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [When I get on top of somebody, I don't have to do all the other little checks and balances guys in other weight classes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/when-i-get-on-top-of-somebody-i-don-t-have-to-do-all-the-other-little/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [I don't even view Brock as a legitimate MMA fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-don-t-even-view-brock-as-a-legitimate-mma-fighter/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [Title shot, that's the ultimate goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/title-shot-that-s-the-ultimate-goal/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [Contrary to popular belief, a lot of us who have speech impediments are really, really intelligent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/contrary-to-popular-belief-a-lot-of-us-who-have-speech-impediments/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [I know I can hang with anybody on the feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-know-i-can-hang-with-anybody-on-the-feet/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) > [That's the beauty of my game plan: it's pretty universal, regardless of my opponent's style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/that-s-the-beauty-of-my-game-plan-it-s-pretty-universal-regardless-of/) [Curtis Blaydes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) [Explore all 98 Curtis Blaydes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/) ## More Belt quotes > [I need a fourth belt. It would mean a lot to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitry-bivol/i-need-a-fourth-belt-it-would-mean-a-lot-to-me/) [Dmitry Bivol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitry-bivol/) > [Burberry makes the best version of the traditional trench coat, which can have a zipper and button-in lining for colder climes. The belt, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/burberry-makes-the-best-version-of-the-traditional-trench-coat-which/) [Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/) > [Playing main-draw matches helps, and playing in front of crowds and playing in big matches definitely helps, getting them all under your belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-sock/playing-main-draw-matches-helps-and-playing-in-front-of-crowds-and/) [Jack Sock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-sock/) > [I never had a belt handed to me as a gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricio-freire/i-never-had-a-belt-handed-to-me-as-a-gift/) [Patricio Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricio-freire/) > [I definitely want to defend my 145 belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-nunes/i-definitely-want-to-defend-my-145-belt/) [Amanda Nunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-nunes/) > [I'm trained in musical theatre and 'Pitch Perfect' is the first movie where I get to really belt out. I beat Adele for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebel-wilson/i-m-trained-in-musical-theatre-and-pitch-perfect-is-the-first-movie/) [Rebel Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebel-wilson/) > [The Kuiper belt region, which I call the third zone because it lies beyond the rocky terrestrial planets and beyond the giant planets, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-stern/the-kuiper-belt-region-which-i-call-the-third-zone-because-it-lies/) [Alan Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-stern/) > [It's a dream of mine to win the division's belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glover-teixeira/it-s-a-dream-of-mine-to-win-the-division-s-belt/) [Glover Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glover-teixeira/) > [The last goal in my career is to get a UFC belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/the-last-goal-in-my-career-is-to-get-a-ufc-belt/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I always said the 155-pound belt's been in so many grubby hands, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-always-said-the-155-pound-belt-s-been-in-so-many-grubby-hands-man/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [My main objective is always the belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyoto-machida/my-main-objective-is-always-the-belt/) [Lyoto Machida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyoto-machida/) > [You have the belt, you fight who they tell you to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/you-have-the-belt-you-fight-who-they-tell-you-to-fight/) [Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/) > [I knew in my mind I could beat Wanderlei and take his belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-knew-in-my-mind-i-could-beat-wanderlei-and-take-his-belt/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Microsoft is still not a black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kutaragi/microsoft-is-still-not-a-black-belt/) [Ken Kutaragi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kutaragi/) [Browse all 307 Belt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a black belt and white belt is just a few elbows.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Curtis Blaydes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-difference-between-a-black-belt/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-difference-between-a-black-belt/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f95/curtis-blaydes-6229_belt_i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-diff_766524.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not a black belt, but in MMA, the difference between a black belt and white belt is just a few elbows.” — Curtis Blaydes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Curtis Blaydes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-blaydes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not a black belt, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-difference-between-a-black-belt/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-blaydes/i-m-not-a-black-belt-but-in-mma-the-difference-between-a-black-belt/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```