--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sonnen, to me, he's a great athlete, but…" description: "\"Sonnen, to me, he's a great athlete, but he created that image so much for himself that people don't think he's that good. They just think he talks. So..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8be/demian-maia-5237_athlete_sonnen-to-me-he-s-a-great-athlete-but-he_1208975.jpg" --- # Sonnen, to me, he's a great athlete, but he created that… ![“Sonnen, to me, he's a great athlete, but he created that image so much for himself that people don't think he's that good. They just think he talks. So I think it's a risk you run when you do that.” quote by Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8be/demian-maia-5237_athlete_sonnen-to-me-he-s-a-great-athlete-but-he_1208975.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8be/demian-maia-5237_athlete_sonnen-to-me-he-s-a-great-athlete-but-he_1208975.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8be/demian-maia-5237_athlete_sonnen-to-me-he-s-a-great-athlete-but-he_1208975.jpg) > “Sonnen, to me, he's a great athlete, but he created that image so much for himself that people don't think he's that good. They just think he talks. So I think it's a risk you run when you do that.” [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He built a public persona that overshadows his actual skill, causing others to doubt his talent. **In simple terms:** Image can eclipse real ability. Key Takeaway Balance image with performance. Themes image perception confidence public perception skill assessment Mood reflective analytical Type advice insightful When to use this quote - sports commentary - personal branding - media interviews - career development Key Concepts branding self-presentation reputation management Questions to Reflect On - How does personal branding affect credibility? - When should you prioritize substance over image? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on image may lead to underestimation of true capability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Athlete Created](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete-created-3656089/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-athlete/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sonnen Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sonnen-great-3656088/) [Think Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-risk-2077097/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [When I started out as a little kid, I didn't say 'I just want to run football.' 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Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) ## More by Demian Maia > [You have to try your best to have peace of mind, and whatever happens you know you did your best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/you-have-to-try-your-best-to-have-peace-of-mind-and-whatever-happens/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [You can trade money for other good things and that's nice, but it's not the first thing that matters to me. I'm a martial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/you-can-trade-money-for-other-good-things-and-that-s-nice-but-it-s/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [I know I have a lot of fans, and it's a big mistake try to please everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/i-know-i-have-a-lot-of-fans-and-it-s-a-big-mistake-try-to-please/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Striking isn't just about kicking and punching. It's far more complex than that. It's also about timing and range.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/striking-isn-t-just-about-kicking-and-punching-it-s-far-more-complex/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Everything I did in my life was about the title, but that's too much pressure over me. When I relaxed more, even my performance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/everything-i-did-in-my-life-was-about-the-title-but-that-s-too-much/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [I would never say 'Demian Maia jiu-jitsu.' 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I think I had a lot more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/my-loss-to-marquardt-was-just-one-of-those-things-i-made-a-mistake/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [When you fight MMA, there are so many things involved, so many techniques, that you just can't do everything or you'll over-train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/when-you-fight-mma-there-are-so-many-things-involved-so-many/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Seminars, TV shows, documentaries, always spreading Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I'm an instrument of this art more than a character myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/seminars-tv-shows-documentaries-always-spreading-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Jiu-jitsu is very 'democratic,' it does not matter how you are physically - it is all about your mind, and a lot of technique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/jiu-jitsu-is-very-democratic-it-does-not-matter-how-you-are/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [Everybody that I fight always avoids jiu-jitsu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/everybody-that-i-fight-always-avoids-jiu-jitsu/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [I lived in Barueri for a long time, and now I live in a city close to Barueri, so it's like my backyard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/i-lived-in-barueri-for-a-long-time-and-now-i-live-in-a-city-close-to/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [I was always very, very focused, just thinking about the title.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/i-was-always-very-very-focused-just-thinking-about-the-title/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) > [I think I've already won the most important titles in Brazilian jujitsu and grappling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-maia/i-think-i-ve-already-won-the-most-important-titles-in-brazilian/) [Demian Maia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) [Explore all 102 Demian Maia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-maia/) ## More Athlete quotes > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) > [I'd noticed him watching me for a year or so, especially when we'd play games where there was running or jumping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/i-d-noticed-him-watching-me-for-a-year-or-so-especially-when-we-d/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [I have no physical genius about me. 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