French judo legend Teddy Riner recently revealed he received a substantial offer, amounting to $15 million for three MMA bouts, which he ultimately declined.
The decorated athlete, who has earned five Olympic gold medals and 11 world championship titles, made it clear where he stands on transitioning to MMA: “Will I ever sign with MMA? The answer is no!”
Riner, who recently launched the Riner Cup – a judo competition aimed at thrilling fans following the successful Paris Olympics – explained his reasoning in an interview with Le Quotidien du Sport.
There’s a lot of talk about MMA, the hot sport right now. What do you think?
If the question is, “Will I ever sign there?”, the answer is no! I’m happy where I am. Despite the financial offers I receive, my sport is judo!
Yet quite a few judokas are taking the plunge…
I can understand, but not me. Many judokas, in fact, more than judokas.
Have you received any important proposals?
It’s no secret. Last year, it was 15 million!
For ?
For three fights with the UFC. But that’s not possible. If I signed there, everything I’ve created in judo, my record, it would go up in smoke! I’m not interested.
The Olympic champion maintains respect for MMA while acknowledging its intense nature. “It’s intense because we see blood, we see certain things we don’t want to see on our children. Afterward, they say it’s regulated, that it’s better and better regulated,” he stated.
While discussing the relationship between judo and MMA, Riner noted that the sports attract different audiences and don’t compete with each other. He also acknowledged the potential advantages his sport provides in mixed martial arts: “I think we have many points that mean we could have been good in many areas […] I’ve seen quite a few judokas go to MMA and be dominant.”
Riner is expected to conclude his competitive judo career at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding another chapter to his already remarkable legacy in the sport.
