U.S. judoka Kayla Harrison said that she "plans to retire from competing in the sport" after winning her second career Gold Medal on Thursday, but she currently "does not plan to follow" Ronda Rousey's path to UFC, according to Jim Caple of ESPN.com. Rousey moved into MMA after winning a Bronze Medal in judo at the '08 Beijing Games. Harrison said, "Right now, I'm going to be focused on being (a) two-time Olympic champion, enjoy the moment and live in the moment. Never say never, but right now, the answer is no to MMA." She added that her goal is to "help judo grow 'to another level in the United States,'" though she acknowledged that being in MMA "could give her a bigger platform to spread the word" (ESPN.com, 8/11). Harrison said, "I know you all want to know if I’m going to MMA or not. But tonight I’m just going to live in the moment, be Olympic champion. And tomorrow I’ll decide what my future holds.” She said that she "has already received offers from several MMA organizations she declined to identify." In L.A., Kevin Baxter writes it is "no secret that UFC is eager to add Harrison to a growing stable of fighters." Harrison "currently fights at 165 pounds, 30 pounds over the heaviest women’s weight class in UFC." But UFC "might be willing to meet her halfway since the organization has talked of adding a 145-pound division" (L.A. TIMES, 8/12).
