French judoka Teddy Riner declined a 15-million-euro offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2023 because moving to mixed martial arts would have meant betraying his community, as reported.
The multi-time Olympic champion, who trained in judo from age five and secured gold medals in both individual and team events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, disclosed the rejected proposal during an interview with media outlet Booska-P.
An Offer Refused Out of Loyalty to Judo
The financial figures presented by the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization were substantial, but Riner explained to interviewer Mehdi Maïzi that money could not outweigh his loyalty to the judo community. He stated that transitioning to MMA would cause an entire network of training partners and mentors across the globe to turn their backs on him.
Rather than turning the page on a lifetime spent on the tatami, the heavyweight competitor chose to prioritize his roots in the Japanese martial art. Riner noted that he respects fighters within the UFC, but absorbing and delivering strikes to the face does not align with his personal values or athletic DNA.
Public Advocacy and Cyberharassment Investigations in Paris
Beyond his athletic career, Riner’s public statements have recently drawn outside attention and legal scrutiny in France. Following comments made during an appearance on the television program Stade 2 regarding his concerns over the rise of the far right, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Wednesday, September 23, that an investigation had been opened into public racist insults and cyberharassment.
Riner also addressed youth and education in France amid high school protests. On October 3, he posted on social media that while listening to the difficulties of young people is essential, violence should never dictate whether students can attend classes safely.
Worth a look
