Judo heavyweight Teddy Riner has spoken about a rumored multi-million dollar UFC offer to compete in the cage.
Riner, whose career is so dominant that he is regularly mentioned among France’s greatest athletes, addressed it in an Original Version interview tied to his signing with PSG Judo at Parc des Princes.
Asked why he said no, he left little room for doubt:
It’s not actually that I refused – because it’s not in my DNA.
I am in a sport that suits me. I am happy practicing this sport. Tomorrow, the minute I go and change hats and go into MMA, it’s a whole family that turns its back on me.
I trained hard, I evolved with them, they saw me in every corner of the world. I can’t tell myself: “Well, I’m turning the page, I’m changing sports, and, oh well, so much for judo.”
No, I love what I do, I’m happy where I am, and it’s not money that’s going to make me change.
Besides, I have my own convictions regarding this sport that just don’t align with me.
Riner also played along with a hypothetical about fighting himself:
If I had to face Teddy Riner, I’d beat him up. I’d play anti-judo. Meaning I’d only do underhanded moves. I wouldn’t get into the judo.
And I’d try to hurt him, actually hurt him physically. You shouldn’t aim for judo, you should only aim for dirty tricks.
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