--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the beginning, fighting was fun - I…" description: "\"In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned with the outcome. At some point, I started training out of fear and anger. I wasn't really happ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/forrest-griffin-4040_anger_in-the-beginning-fighting-was-fun-i-wasn_1820537.jpg" --- # In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned… ![“In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned with the outcome. At some point, I started training out of fear and anger. I wasn't really happy.” quote by Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/forrest-griffin-4040_anger_in-the-beginning-fighting-was-fun-i-wasn_1820537.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/forrest-griffin-4040_anger_in-the-beginning-fighting-was-fun-i-wasn_1820537.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/forrest-griffin-4040_anger_in-the-beginning-fighting-was-fun-i-wasn_1820537.jpg) > “In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned with the outcome. At some point, I started training out of fear and anger. I wasn't really happy.” [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. Initially fighting was enjoyable, but later it became driven by fear and anger, leading to unhappiness. **In simple terms:** Fun turned into fear‑driven conflict. Key Takeaway Recognize why you fight. Themes conflict motivation emotions Mood introspective critical Type motivational psychological When to use this quote - sports - workplace disputes - personal relationships - stress management Key Concepts psychology self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your shift from fun to fear? - Can you reclaim enjoyment? A Different Perspective Motivation can shift from joy to negativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) ## Related quotes > [When you are doing something that is your passion - you are professional but you enjoy it - playing with fear, training with fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-silva/when-you-are-doing-something-that-is-your-passion-you-are/) [Marco Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-silva/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [When I grew older and went my own way, MMA kind of stuck with me. I got to the point where I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/when-i-grew-older-and-went-my-own-way-mma-kind-of-stuck-with-me-i-got/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [Fighting is fun - fighting solves everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-mcinnes/fighting-is-fun-fighting-solves-everything/) [Gavin McInnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-mcinnes/) > [I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and took it serious. I never actually thought I would be a real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-always-thought-fighting-was-fun-so-i-joined-a-gym-and-took-it/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [This is for fighting, this is for fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-lee-ermey/this-is-for-fighting-this-is-for-fun/) [R. Lee Ermey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-lee-ermey/) > [Me and Kamaru had over 200 rounds sparring, at least. We started training together in 2012 in Blackzillians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/me-and-kamaru-had-over-200-rounds-sparring-at-least-we-started/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [When I first started at Bridgend, I'd see the amount of work Rob Howley put in on his own after the team had all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-thomas/when-i-first-started-at-bridgend-i-d-see-the-amount-of-work-rob/) [Gareth Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-thomas/) > [I personally hated working out when I first started, but then I noticed it was the one thing I did for myself. It gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-g/i-personally-hated-working-out-when-i-first-started-but-then-i/) [Becky G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-g/) > [I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-four-months-later-i-was-in-the/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I started training in January in 1993 and my first match was in April of that same year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-daniels/i-started-training-in-january-in-1993-and-my-first-match-was-in-april/) [Christopher Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-daniels/) > [I was putting middleweights, Light heavy's, heavies and Super Heavy's to sleep. And it got to a point where no one would fight me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-wolfe/i-was-putting-middleweights-light-heavy-s-heavies-and-super-heavy-s/) [Ann Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-wolfe/) > [When you bat, you need to have a lot of patience. I started training for it from the age of eight or nine. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammad-azharuddin/when-you-bat-you-need-to-have-a-lot-of-patience-i-started-training/) [Mohammad Azharuddin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammad-azharuddin/) > [When I first started training, I guess the fact that I was undersized, it just didn't register initially. Obviously, I knew I wasn't huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-aries/when-i-first-started-training-i-guess-the-fact-that-i-was-undersized/) [Austin Aries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-aries/) > [As far as acting, I just went in and just started training. It was the first thing I did right when I retired. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nnamdi-asomugha/as-far-as-acting-i-just-went-in-and-just-started-training-it-was-the/) [Nnamdi Asomugha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nnamdi-asomugha/) ## 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 Anger quotes > [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/) [Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/) > [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) [Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned with the outcome. At some point, I started training out of fear and anger. 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