If he beats you regularly, he's better than you.
It's hard to realize this when you're good enough at a skill that you can take a look at the competition you just lost and see exactly why and how you lost. Surely, this knowledge means I'm better, right?
Bullshit. It's your mind trying to protect your ego.
Regardless of the methods used, winning is winning.
"The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him. You must thoroughly research this."
-Miyamoto Musashi