--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The torch needs to be held by somebody…" description: "\"The torch needs to be held by somebody that's great. Because champions are made in the dark, baby. We don't need the lights and the spotlight. That stu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff2/tony-ferguson-5510_baby_the-torch-needs-to-be-held-by-somebody-t_2946466.jpg" --- # The torch needs to be held by somebody that's great… ![“The torch needs to be held by somebody that's great. Because champions are made in the dark, baby. We don't need the lights and the spotlight. That stuff is for everybody else, man.” quote by Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff2/tony-ferguson-5510_baby_the-torch-needs-to-be-held-by-somebody-t_2946466.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff2/tony-ferguson-5510_baby_the-torch-needs-to-be-held-by-somebody-t_2946466.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff2/tony-ferguson-5510_baby_the-torch-needs-to-be-held-by-somebody-t_2946466.jpg) > “The torch needs to be held by somebody that's great. Because champions are made in the dark, baby. We don't need the lights and the spotlight. That stuff is for everybody else, man.” [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Champions are forged in obscurity; true greatness thrives without spotlight, requiring inner strength. **In simple terms:** Greatness grows in the dark. Key Takeaway Focus on inner drive, not fame. Themes sports motivation humility self‑reliance Mood determined inspirational Type sports self‑help When to use this quote - training - competition - personal development - team dynamics Key Concepts psychology leadership Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay motivated without external validation? - What practices build inner resilience? A Different Perspective Public recognition can be motivating for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/) [Champions Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champions-dark-4419045/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Lights Spotlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lights-spotlight-4419046/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Need Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-lights-2986146/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Torch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torch/) [Torch Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torch-needs-4419044/) ## Related quotes > [Those who have a tolerable knowledge of human nature will not stand in need of such lights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/those-who-have-a-tolerable-knowledge-of-human-nature-will-not-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [From generation to generation, lights are extinguished and darkness threatens until some one stoops to bear the torch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-overmire/from-generation-to-generation-lights-are-extinguished-and-darkness/) [Laurence Overmire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-overmire/) > [You are the everlasting fire in the empty torch of my heart and the beacon of light which guides my vessel to your safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-the-everlasting-fire-in-the-empty-torch-of-my-heart-and-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can either carry a torch or light or be a torch of light. Were all meant to illuminate each other in some way. à](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/you-can-either-carry-a-torch-or-light-or-be-a-torch-of-light-were-all/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [The boundary between expert and amateur was an imposed social-cultural "protection" which actually exposed a number of women to a fatal disease, because decaying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-mullen/the-boundary-between-expert-and-amateur-was-an-imposed-social/) [Laura Mullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-mullen/) > [The Occupy Wall Street project feels like a burning ember that might light the torch of justice and inflame our longing for freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-forbes/the-occupy-wall-street-project-feels-like-a-burning-ember-that-might/) [James A. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-forbes/) > [I feel like the torch has been passed to me. The question is what am I going to do with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ato-boldon/i-feel-like-the-torch-has-been-passed-to-me-the-question-is-what-am-i/) [Ato Boldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ato-boldon/) > [I've actually carried the Olympic torch through Stoke-on-Trent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-pulis/i-ve-actually-carried-the-olympic-torch-through-stoke-on-trent/) [Tony Pulis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-pulis/) > [“And how I watched my little sister become a human torch. Closing my eyes doesn't help. Fire burns brighter in the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/and-how-i-watched-my-little-sister-become-a-human-torch-closing-my/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Man is a torch borne in the wind; a dream But of a shadow, summed with all his substance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/man-is-a-torch-borne-in-the-wind-a-dream-but-of-a-shadow-summed-with/) [George Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chapman/) > [“It's not like I've spent my life beating he boys back with a flaming torch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/it-s-not-like-i-ve-spent-my-life-beating-he-boys-back-with-a-flaming/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [Yesterday the flame of the Olympic torch was carried through our great state on its way to Salt Lake City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-d-hull/yesterday-the-flame-of-the-olympic-torch-was-carried-through-our/) [Jane D. Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-d-hull/) > [The torch of liberty is hot; warms those who hold it high; burns those who try to extinguish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-torch-of-liberty-is-hot-warms-those-who-hold-it-high-burns-those/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Ever hold your hand over a torch (sorry, a flashlight for you Americans).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/ever-hold-your-hand-over-a-torch-sorry-a-flashlight-for-you-americans/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The constant man loses not his virtue in misfortune. A torch may point towards the ground, but its flame will still point upwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhartrhari/the-constant-man-loses-not-his-virtue-in-misfortune-a-torch-may-point/) [Bhartrhari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhartrhari/) ## More by Tony Ferguson > [I'm tried of D'arce, D'arce, D'arcing people, but if I have to D'arce somebody else up, the D'arce Knight will return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-m-tried-of-d-arce-d-arce-d-arcing-people-but-if-i-have-to-d-arce/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [Wits always win, man, in the battle of brain versus brawn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/wits-always-win-man-in-the-battle-of-brain-versus-brawn/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I always said the 155-pound belt's been in so many grubby hands, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-always-said-the-155-pound-belt-s-been-in-so-many-grubby-hands-man/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I thought Al Iaquinta did a great job at UFC 223, but Khabib is going to say he won the Super Bowl after he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-thought-al-iaquinta-did-a-great-job-at-ufc-223-but-khabib-is-going/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I like to have job security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-like-to-have-job-security/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I wrestled in college at 165.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-wrestled-in-college-at-165/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I'm tired of labels. This is my label right here: El Cucuy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-m-tired-of-labels-this-is-my-label-right-here-el-cucuy/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I'm not someone to joke around with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-m-not-someone-to-joke-around-with/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [The UFC has a long history of changing a fighter's compensation for a particular bout... There's always changes that's always being made as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/the-ufc-has-a-long-history-of-changing-a-fighter-s-compensation-for-a/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [If you don't show up, you lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/if-you-don-t-show-up-you-lose/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [Preparing for a short-notice fight is dangerous, it doesn't even matter who you are preparing for. Short-notice fights suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/preparing-for-a-short-notice-fight-is-dangerous-it-doesn-t-even/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I thought this was the UFC and we're supposed to be the best and toughest fighters in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-thought-this-was-the-ufc-and-we-re-supposed-to-be-the-best-and/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [I show up. I make weight. I'm a professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/i-show-up-i-make-weight-i-m-a-professional/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [One day, my bike tire broke miles from home and I found a way to fix it. That's what I learned: Even if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/one-day-my-bike-tire-broke-miles-from-home-and-i-found-a-way-to-fix/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) > [It's interesting how Khabib fights but to me it's just boring, it's lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-ferguson/it-s-interesting-how-khabib-fights-but-to-me-it-s-just-boring-it-s/) [Tony Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) [Explore all 99 Tony Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-ferguson/) ## More Baby quotes > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [“I looked down into my baby’s beautiful green eyes and ached inside. She looked up at me with wide-eyed innocence. I kissed her warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/i-looked-down-into-my-baby-s-beautiful-green-eyes-and-ached-inside/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [I've retired my sneakers for stilettos, baby!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/i-ve-retired-my-sneakers-for-stilettos-baby/) [Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/) > [I didn't expect to be so comfortable handing my child off to a nanny without getting any of her information. As soon as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/i-didn-t-expect-to-be-so-comfortable-handing-my-child-off-to-a-nanny/) [Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/) > [And I gave you my all, now baby be mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashanti/and-i-gave-you-my-all-now-baby-be-mine/) [Ashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashanti/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) [Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/) > [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [I'm so happy baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashanti/i-m-so-happy-baby/) [Ashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashanti/) > [Weezy F. Baby. F. is fo' finisha:)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/weezy-f-baby-f-is-fo-finisha/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [Baby, I love you. We argue about the stupidest shit then we turn around and laugh about it. I'm obsessed with you and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay/baby-i-love-you-we-argue-about-the-stupidest-shit-then-we-turn-around/) [Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay/) > [My dad's Israeli. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-yamin/my-dad-s-israeli-he-was-born-in-baghdad-to-iraqi-jews-then-at-age-two/) [Elliott Yamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-yamin/) > [Michael Jackson has a new baby boy; no word yet who the father is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/michael-jackson-has-a-new-baby-boy-no-word-yet-who-the-father-is/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I always wondered why babies spend so much time sucking their thumbs. Then I tasted baby food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-orben/i-always-wondered-why-babies-spend-so-much-time-sucking-their-thumbs/) [Robert Orben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-orben/) > [If all fooles had babies, wee should want fuell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-all-fooles-had-babies-wee-should-want-fuell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [My baby girl Bella is growing up so fast I remember when she was soo tiny, it shows how much she has been loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal/my-baby-girl-bella-is-growing-up-so-fast-i-remember-when-she-was-soo/) [Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal/) [Browse all 5,822 Baby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The torch needs to be held by somebody that's great. Because champions are made in the dark, baby. 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