---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn…"
description: "\"If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn - terrifying! GSP - terrifying! Anderson Silva - terrifying! But I'm not terrifying. I am not the super-submissio..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d26/forrest-griffin-4040_anderson-silva_if-you-look-at-ufc-champions-bj-penn-ter_445477.jpg"
---

#  If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn - terrifying! GSP…

![“If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn - terrifying! GSP - terrifying! Anderson Silva - terrifying! But I'm not terrifying. I am not the super-submission guy, I am not the one-punch KO guy, so I am not the most feared guy in the worldBut I will not quit, I will not break and I will fight you like a…” quote by Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d26/forrest-griffin-4040_anderson-silva_if-you-look-at-ufc-champions-bj-penn-ter_445477.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d26/forrest-griffin-4040_anderson-silva_if-you-look-at-ufc-champions-bj-penn-ter_445477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d26/forrest-griffin-4040_anderson-silva_if-you-look-at-ufc-champions-bj-penn-ter_445477.jpg)

> “If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn - terrifying! GSP - terrifying! Anderson Silva - terrifying! But I'm not terrifying. I am not the super-submission guy, I am not the one-punch KO guy, so I am not the most feared guy in the worldBut I will not quit, I will not break and I will fight you like a dog for every second of every round. I am not a super-talented guy, I'm just a dude who will fight you tooth and nail.”

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The fighter acknowledges lacking elite traits but vows relentless effort, emphasizing perseverance over natural talent.

**In simple terms:** Hard work beats raw talent.

Key Takeaway

Persist despite limitations.

Themes

sports determination self‑belief perseverance mindset

Mood

motivational determined

Type

inspirational practical

When to use this quote

- training
- competition
- coaching
- personal development

Key Concepts

psychology motivation resilience

Questions to Reflect On

- How can athletes balance skill and effort?
- What habits sustain long‑term grit?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on talent can cause complacency.

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[Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Rounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rounds/) [Submission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submission/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/)

## Related quotes

> [If you look at UFC champions: BJ Penn - terrifying! GSP - terrifying! Anderson Silva - terrifying! But I'm not terrifying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/if-you-look-at-ufc-champions-bj-penn-terrifying-gsp-terrifying-2/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I am not a super-talented guy, I'm just a dude who will fight you tooth and nail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-am-not-a-super-talented-guy-i-m-just-a-dude-who-will-fight-you/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I've coached UFC champions and stuff before I ever started fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-nelson/i-ve-coached-ufc-champions-and-stuff-before-i-ever-started-fighting/)

[Roy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-nelson/)

> [Because we have many UFC champions, but not much double champs, I want to be a double champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/islam-makhachev/because-we-have-many-ufc-champions-but-not-much-double-champs-i-want/)

[Islam Makhachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/islam-makhachev/)

> [I want people to talk about me in five, 10 years, 20 years, that I was one of the best female MMA fighters, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-jedrzejczyk/i-want-people-to-talk-about-me-in-five-10-years-20-years-that-i-was/)

[Joanna Jedrzejczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-jedrzejczyk/)

> [Look what happened when I fought Anderson Silva. It can't possibly get worse than that. I've already seen the bottom and it wasn't that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/look-what-happened-when-i-fought-anderson-silva-it-can-t-possibly-get/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [During a fight with Anderson Silva, I slipped on an imaginary banana peel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/during-a-fight-with-anderson-silva-i-slipped-on-an-imaginary-banana/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [Anderson Silva is a little bit smaller than Quinton Jackson, although naturally he is a little bit bigger than I am. He is definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/anderson-silva-is-a-little-bit-smaller-than-quinton-jackson-although/)

[Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/)

> [My first coach, Johnny Aho, he believed in me. I could have been fighting Anderson Silva, and he would say 'You could beat him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-malley/my-first-coach-johnny-aho-he-believed-in-me-i-could-have-been/)

[Sean O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-malley/)

> [There's a camaraderie that comes with this sport, but fighting Anderson Silva is a lot like eating Chinese food: twenty minutes after I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/there-s-a-camaraderie-that-comes-with-this-sport-but-fighting/)

[Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/)

> [I beat Anderson Silva and then Luke Rockhold, who was, pound-for-pound, one of the best. Now I get to do Dan Henderson, who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/i-beat-anderson-silva-and-then-luke-rockhold-who-was-pound-for-pound/)

[Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/)

> [I always watch Anderson Silva and I always watch his fighting style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-brunson/i-always-watch-anderson-silva-and-i-always-watch-his-fighting-style/)

[Derek Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-brunson/)

> [Yes, I think I have the skills to compete with Anderson Silva,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stann/yes-i-think-i-have-the-skills-to-compete-with-anderson-silva/)

[Brian Stann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stann/)

> [Anderson Silva kind of took the best part of Rich Franklin out of his soul, and he was never the same again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/anderson-silva-kind-of-took-the-best-part-of-rich-franklin-out-of-his/)

[Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/)

> [I believe that style-wise, matchup-wise, I matchup much better against Anderson Silva than Jon Jones, but it doesn't mean that I'm scared to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gegard-mousasi/i-believe-that-style-wise-matchup-wise-i-matchup-much-better-against/)

[Gegard Mousasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gegard-mousasi/)

## More by Forrest Griffin

> [I've framed houses, worked on an asphalt crew, I was a cop, a lifeguard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-ve-framed-houses-worked-on-an-asphalt-crew-i-was-a-cop-a-lifeguard/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I like deer. They're kinda cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-like-deer-they-re-kinda-cool/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [The only thing that gives my mom pleasure in life is buying stuff off QVC, and I'm gonna pay those bills. I paid my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/the-only-thing-that-gives-my-mom-pleasure-in-life-is-buying-stuff-off/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [It was weird, I saw the Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei fight, I thought, if I don't have another of those in me, there's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/it-was-weird-i-saw-the-brian-stann-vs-wanderlei-fight-i-thought-if-i/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I hate flying so I always drive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-hate-flying-so-i-always-drive/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [Mental toughness must be developed before you start fighting because you don't want to be that guy who quits in the ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/mental-toughness-must-be-developed-before-you-start-fighting-because/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [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/)

> [Don’t call me a loser in front of my mom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/don-t-call-me-a-loser-in-front-of-my-mom/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [Jesus was a liberal. Jesus was like the original liberal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/jesus-was-a-liberal-jesus-was-like-the-original-liberal/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I don't think you should punish a guy for losing when they were hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-don-t-think-you-should-punish-a-guy-for-losing-when-they-were-hurt/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I like ice cream, I don't like pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-like-ice-cream-i-don-t-like-pain/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [In order to keep up with the rapid evolution of the sport, you've got to keep an open mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/in-order-to-keep-up-with-the-rapid-evolution-of-the-sport-you-ve-got/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [Winning the belt is one thing. But you're not really a champion until you defend it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/winning-the-belt-is-one-thing-but-you-re-not-really-a-champion-until/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [It's long been a problem. But I'm not just talking about the UFC - I mean homophobia in sports in general and athletes sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/it-s-long-been-a-problem-but-i-m-not-just-talking-about-the-ufc-i/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

> [I get to work out for my job and punch people and wrassle, that's a pretty cool job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/i-get-to-work-out-for-my-job-and-punch-people-and-wrassle-that-s-a/)

[Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

[Explore all 117 Forrest Griffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/)

## More Anderson silva quotes

> [I believe that style-wise, matchup-wise, I matchup much better against Anderson Silva than Jon Jones, but it doesn't mean that I'm scared to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gegard-mousasi/i-believe-that-style-wise-matchup-wise-i-matchup-much-better-against/)

[Gegard Mousasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gegard-mousasi/)

> [Anderson Silva kind of took the best part of Rich Franklin out of his soul, and he was never the same again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/anderson-silva-kind-of-took-the-best-part-of-rich-franklin-out-of-his/)

[Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/)

> [Yes, I think I have the skills to compete with Anderson Silva,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stann/yes-i-think-i-have-the-skills-to-compete-with-anderson-silva/)

[Brian Stann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stann/)

> [I always watch Anderson Silva and I always watch his fighting style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-brunson/i-always-watch-anderson-silva-and-i-always-watch-his-fighting-style/)

[Derek Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-brunson/)

> [I beat Anderson Silva and then Luke Rockhold, who was, pound-for-pound, one of the best. Now I get to do Dan Henderson, who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bisping/i-beat-anderson-silva-and-then-luke-rockhold-who-was-pound-for-pound/)

[Michael Bisping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bisping/)

> [There's a camaraderie that comes with this sport, but fighting Anderson Silva is a lot like eating Chinese food: twenty minutes after I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/there-s-a-camaraderie-that-comes-with-this-sport-but-fighting/)

[Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/)

> [My first coach, Johnny Aho, he believed in me. I could have been fighting Anderson Silva, and he would say 'You could beat him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-malley/my-first-coach-johnny-aho-he-believed-in-me-i-could-have-been/)

[Sean O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-malley/)

> [Anderson Silva is a little bit smaller than Quinton Jackson, although naturally he is a little bit bigger than I am. He is definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/anderson-silva-is-a-little-bit-smaller-than-quinton-jackson-although/)

[Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/)

> [I remember watching Anderson Silva fight Dan Henderson at UFC 82. I had never really watched MMA, but I looked up to Dan Henderson.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-weidman/i-remember-watching-anderson-silva-fight-dan-henderson-at-ufc-82-i/)

[Chris Weidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-weidman/)

> [Nobody breaks in a fight and comes back in the same fight. Once you break, you're done for the night. You've gotta go back.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/nobody-breaks-in-a-fight-and-comes-back-in-the-same-fight-once-you/)

[Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/)

> [I've got two 10-8 rounds against Anderson Silva. That's just the truth. I have no equal at middleweight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-ve-got-two-10-8-rounds-against-anderson-silva-that-s-just-the-truth/)

[Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/)

> [To become a world champion, to defeat Anderson Silva, to accomplish my goal in one night, it was a super surreal feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-weidman/to-become-a-world-champion-to-defeat-anderson-silva-to-accomplish-my/)

[Chris Weidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-weidman/)

> [I think Anderson Silva is ahead of Chuck Liddell as far as that goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-tompkins/i-think-anderson-silva-is-ahead-of-chuck-liddell-as-far-as-that-goes/)

[Shawn Tompkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-tompkins/)

> [Uriah Hall is on the level of Anderson Silva's striking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-brunson/uriah-hall-is-on-the-level-of-anderson-silva-s-striking/)

[Derek Brunson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-brunson/)

> [Someone said Anderson Silva and GSP would be a $12 million fight. I told people that for $12 million, I'd fight them both right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-liddell/someone-said-anderson-silva-and-gsp-would-be-a-12-million-fight-i/)

[Chuck Liddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-liddell/)

Browse all 68 Anderson silva quotes

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