---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Me coming from a karate and kickboxing…"
description: "\"Me coming from a karate and kickboxing background, Anderson Silva was like my idol, and so was Machida, especially with his karate background.\" — Steph..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2eb/stephen-thompson-5214_anderson-silva_me-coming-from-a-karate-and-kickboxing-b_2445627.jpg"
---

#  Me coming from a karate and kickboxing background…

![“Me coming from a karate and kickboxing background, Anderson Silva was like my idol, and so was Machida, especially with his karate background.” quote by Stephen Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2eb/stephen-thompson-5214_anderson-silva_me-coming-from-a-karate-and-kickboxing-b_2445627.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2eb/stephen-thompson-5214_anderson-silva_me-coming-from-a-karate-and-kickboxing-b_2445627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2eb/stephen-thompson-5214_anderson-silva_me-coming-from-a-karate-and-kickboxing-b_2445627.jpg)

> “Me coming from a karate and kickboxing background, Anderson Silva was like my idol, and so was Machida, especially with his karate background.”

[Stephen Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-thompson/)

## About This Quote

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

Admirers often emulate champions whose backgrounds mirror their own, finding inspiration in shared discipline.

**In simple terms:** Fans copy heroes with similar paths.

Key Takeaway

Find role models with relatable journeys.

Themes

inspiration role models martial arts

Mood

energetic focused

Type

motivational inspirational

When to use this quote

- training
- career planning
- sports psychology

Key Concepts

identification motivation

Questions to Reflect On

- Who else inspires you beyond your field?
- How can you blend influences uniquely?

A Different Perspective

Over‑identifying may limit personal style.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/)

## Related quotes

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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

## More by Stephen Thompson

> [I understand it's part of the sport, part of the game to have people who like you and people who don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-thompson/i-understand-it-s-part-of-the-sport-part-of-the-game-to-have-people/)

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[Explore all 102 Stephen Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-thompson/)

## 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/)

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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> [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/)

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