---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't…"
description: "\"I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally involved.\" — Tim Kennedy"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg"
---

#  I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally…

![“I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally involved.” quote by Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg)

> “I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally involved.”

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

## About This Quote

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

Competing with focus while staying emotionally detached maintains performance clarity.

**In simple terms:** Compete without emotional baggage.

Key Takeaway

Separate emotion from competition.

Themes

focus discipline emotional regulation performance strategy

Mood

determined analytical

Type

strategic inspirational

When to use this quote

- combat sports
- high‑pressure jobs
- public speaking
- negotiations

Key Concepts

mindfulness cognitive control athletic mindset

Questions to Reflect On

- When is emotional involvement beneficial?
- How to balance focus and empathy?

A Different Perspective

Emotional detachment may hinder teamwork.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Competitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/)

## Related quotes

> [He's a guy I should beat pretty handily. I shouldn't have a competitive fight with Jose Miguel Cotto, in my eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulie-malignaggi/he-s-a-guy-i-should-beat-pretty-handily-i-shouldn-t-have-a/)

[Paulie Malignaggi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulie-malignaggi/)

> [Mannix got emotionally involved. He was not above being taken advantage of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-connors/mannix-got-emotionally-involved-he-was-not-above-being-taken/)

[Mike Connors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-connors/)

> [The best books come from someplace deep inside… Become emotionally involved. If you don't care about your characters, your readers won't either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/the-best-books-come-from-someplace-deep-inside-become-emotionally/)

[Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/)

> [I'm still tremendously proud of 'Crimson Petal.' I'm still very emotionally involved with these characters. I still care about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-faber/i-m-still-tremendously-proud-of-crimson-petal-i-m-still-very/)

[Michel Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-faber/)

> [I wouldn't mind getting emotionally involved with a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-bruno/i-wouldn-t-mind-getting-emotionally-involved-with-a-woman/)

[Frank Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-bruno/)

> [I might be better able to help parents of dying children, but for quite a while I felt less able, too emotionally involved. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-everett-koop/i-might-be-better-able-to-help-parents-of-dying-children-but-for/)

[C. Everett Koop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-everett-koop/)

> [I watched that fight between my brother and Henderson a number of times. It was a very competitive fight. My brother is one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauricio-rua/i-watched-that-fight-between-my-brother-and-henderson-a-number-of/)

[Mauricio Rua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauricio-rua/)

> [Honestly, I know rematches are always nice, but me beating the champion of my weight class in a competitive fight is nice, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-assuncao/honestly-i-know-rematches-are-always-nice-but-me-beating-the-champion/)

[Raphael Assuncao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-assuncao/)

> [He was competitive in every fight and brought his best every time out, so I have nothing personal against Froch. I actually like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/he-was-competitive-in-every-fight-and-brought-his-best-every-time-out/)

[Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/)

> [I’ve actually never been taken on a date in my whole life. I have never had a one-night stand. I’m a real relationship person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-miller/i-ve-actually-never-been-taken-on-a-date-in-my-whole-life-i-have-2/)

[Sienna Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-miller/)

> [If you catch me coming out of a film, when I'm emotionally involved, I can tell you at that moment why I like it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbas-kiarostami/if-you-catch-me-coming-out-of-a-film-when-i-m-emotionally-involved-i/)

[Abbas Kiarostami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbas-kiarostami/)

> [Wouldnt it be nice to be like men and get notches in your belt... and not get emotionally involved?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/wouldnt-it-be-nice-to-be-like-men-and-get-notches-in-your-belt-and/)

[Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/)

> [“Remember I said I don’t date? It’s true. Once My last partner and I parted, I had no interest in getting emotionally involved with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-miller/remember-i-said-i-don-t-date-it-s-true-once-my-last-partner-and-i/)

[Harper Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-miller/)

> [Getting the player emotionally involved is the holy grail. We try to make players forget they're playing a game. We want them to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cage/getting-the-player-emotionally-involved-is-the-holy-grail-we-try-to/)

[David Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cage/)

> [Film is like football - you join a team, get close to one or two people, then never hear from them again. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinnie-jones/film-is-like-football-you-join-a-team-get-close-to-one-or-two-people/)

[Vinnie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinnie-jones/)

## More by Tim Kennedy

> [What's the definition of terrorism? It's to achieve an objective through the use of force and fear. These are just nasty, evil, disgusting human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/what-s-the-definition-of-terrorism-it-s-to-achieve-an-objective/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I'm an eight-year Green Beret, Ranger, sniper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-an-eight-year-green-beret-ranger-sniper/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I have no problem putting on a kit, carrying a big sniper rifle, and running a few thousand meters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-have-no-problem-putting-on-a-kit-carrying-a-big-sniper-rifle-and/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [When you're in Ranger School, it sucks. You're not eating; you're not sleeping. You're marching miles - for months at a time. It's horrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/when-you-re-in-ranger-school-it-sucks-you-re-not-eating-you-re-not/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I always have that nagging feeling of wanting to go back and getting my long gun back and be a sniper on a Special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-always-have-that-nagging-feeling-of-wanting-to-go-back-and-getting/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [Peacetime Special Forces are different than wartime Special Forces. And I'm just not sure I was born to be in peace time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/peacetime-special-forces-are-different-than-wartime-special-forces/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [Fighting is a very independent thing, and it's not a team sport, and it's not the NFL, you know, because we don't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/fighting-is-a-very-independent-thing-and-it-s-not-a-team-sport-and-it/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I love the idea of what America is. America is a bunch of people that do these incredible, thankless, selfless jobs that nobody really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-love-the-idea-of-what-america-is-america-is-a-bunch-of-people-that/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I hit hard, and I'm hard to take down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-hit-hard-and-i-m-hard-to-take-down/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [There are some parallels between 'Zombieland' and 'Range 15,' except 'Zombieland,' with Woody Harrelson, there's this pleasurable fun in every scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/there-are-some-parallels-between-zombieland-and-range-15-except/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I think the most rewarding thing is going over and being deployed and having done meaningful things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-think-the-most-rewarding-thing-is-going-over-and-being-deployed-and/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I don't need MMA, but I love fighting. Those are very different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-don-t-need-mma-but-i-love-fighting-those-are-very-different-things/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [No matter what I do, it's all about the workouts. When I travel, I make sure I get my workout in first. When I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/no-matter-what-i-do-it-s-all-about-the-workouts-when-i-travel-i-make/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [I'm not hard to find unless you're ISIS - then, it's a rough night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-not-hard-to-find-unless-you-re-isis-then-it-s-a-rough-night/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

> [Michael Bisping, we had a five round battle. I beat him for five rounds and tripled the amount of strikes landed. I landed more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/michael-bisping-we-had-a-five-round-battle-i-beat-him-for-five-rounds/)

[Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

[Explore all 73 Tim Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/)

## More Competitive quotes

> [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/)

[Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/)

> [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/)

[Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/)

> [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/)

[Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/)

> [My dad is a competitive guy. That's a part of me. It's just a certain drive, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-dad-is-a-competitive-guy-that-s-a-part-of-me-it-s-just-a-certain/)

[Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/)

> [I was a serious competitive figure skater and still ice-skate as much as I can. Anyway, I once brought a date to the rink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-serratos/i-was-a-serious-competitive-figure-skater-and-still-ice-skate-as-much/)

[Christian Serratos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-serratos/)

> [Don't compare your career to anyone else's. It's tough when you're in a business that's competitive. I was having a difficult time with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/don-t-compare-your-career-to-anyone-else-s-it-s-tough-when-you-re-in/)

[Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/)

> [In any competitive environment, whether you're in sales or marketing or whatever it is, you have to know your competition, understand who they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-moses/in-any-competitive-environment-whether-you-re-in-sales-or-marketing/)

[Edwin Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-moses/)

> [I just love this sport and it's so competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/i-just-love-this-sport-and-it-s-so-competitive/)

[Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/)

> [Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/everyone-must-be-in-the-same-competitive-situation-including-on-the/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [I've always been competitive and determined. It's part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-always-been-competitive-and-determined-it-s-part-of-my/)

[Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/)

> [Uruguayans are competitive, and we always want to win. Even though we try to hide it, it is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-godin/uruguayans-are-competitive-and-we-always-want-to-win-even-though-we/)

[Diego Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-godin/)

> [I'm quite competitive. Not with other models but with myself. I have to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arizona-muse/i-m-quite-competitive-not-with-other-models-but-with-myself-i-have-to/)

[Arizona Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arizona-muse/)

> [I'll miss the competitive side and the camaraderie of being around the players and competing each and every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-ll-miss-the-competitive-side-and-the-camaraderie-of-being-around/)

[Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/)

> [We always want to see each other do well. And I think we all want to win. As competitive as you are, you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-brown/we-always-want-to-see-each-other-do-well-and-i-think-we-all-want-to/)

[Antonio Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-brown/)

> [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/)

[Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/)

[Browse all 1,008 Competitive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally involved.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tim Kennedy"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t-get-emotionally-involved/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Competitive"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t-get-emotionally-involved/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/tim-kennedy-9370_competitive_i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t_807449.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'm competitive when I fight, but I don't get emotionally involved.” — Tim Kennedy",
                "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": "Tim Kennedy",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'm competitive when I fight, but...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t-get-emotionally-involved/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/i-m-competitive-when-i-fight-but-i-don-t-get-emotionally-involved/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
