Kurt Angle Rumored To Be Joining MMA

[SalTheButcher]

Source: PWInsider.com

According to a number of sources, Kurt Angle is rumored to be surprisingly returning to action with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Dave Hawk, Angle's manager, has apparently contacted media outlets in recent days, informing that Angle is slated to make his MMA debut in 2007. Angle also recently revealed his desire to work in MMA when interviewed with magazine Real Fighter.

One name being touted as a possible opponent for Kurt Angle is former WWE Tough Enough winner Daniel Puder, who has been making comments about fighting Angle in UFC next year. Whether this is legitimate or just a stunt to increase interest is unknown. The name of Brock Lesnar is also being thrown around as a possible opponent for Angle. The pair are no strangers to each other after having a memorable feud in WWE, which included them headlining WrestleMania in Seattle, Washington.

If Angle were to appear in MMA, it would raise the profile with the curiosity factor, which could in turn lead to higher interest levels, ratings, and PPV buyrates. His signing could also pull in the crossover fans, and even new ones.

Angle's injuries remain an issue and whether he could compete in MMA with them remains to be seen. One thing that is for certain, since his departure from World Wrestling Entertainment, Angle has become one of the most-wanted commodities in the wrestling industry.

[chamiley]

was he fired from WWE or did he leave?

[VictorCharlie]

The guy was a world class wrestler so he has some of the skills, but I've heard this rumor many times before. My understanding is that he has suffered some bad inuries that preclude him from any type of fighting.

[Canvasback]

It was said he left WWE for personal reasons which may have included a possible divorce from his wife.

[X]

Angle, eh? He'll have to be A CUTE fighter or he may suffer GRAVE injury.

Any mathematicians out there?

[Heavy D]

From what my cousin told me, he tore several muscles in his last match, and was released (essentially fired, but without the negative connotation) from the WWE because he was too hardcore into these matches and was more or less killing himself no so slowly but still surely.

I remember hearing within the last year or so that Kurt told the media after he won the gold, he was offered a contract by the UFC, but turned it down for the money the WWF was offering. He then said that had he known how popular the UFC would become, he never would have signed with the WWF. So it's likely he COULD go MMA, but his injuries are apparently very severe and he most likely wont be able to heal up and then train in time for a fight any time in 2007.

[SalTheButcher]

well as far as his injuries are concerned, they tend to be compensetory(custom word ussage), as in he hurts an arm, tries not to fall on that arm and ends up hurting his back trying not to fall on that arm


thats why he wears a mouthpiece, cuz he used to hurt himself trying not to slam his face into the floor so he jus got a mouthpiece


he said that injuries wouldnt be an issue in mma, in wrestling he had to work just about every single night and he had to travel constantly, in mma he could take as much time between fights as he needed

[Heavy D]

That's exactly what his injuries were...he was fighting through the one injury, and hurt something else compensating for the original injury.

And he may SAY it's not an issue, but it is until it heals, which is why I'm saying it will be a while. From what I heard, they were relatively severe, so he'll need some time off from any training until he heals up, and then he still has to learn to fight in MMA, and not just wrestle, which will take several more months. So I'd be surprised if he fought before 2007 is up.

But as he said, injuries won't be a big issue in between fights, because he can have a month or two off, but his current injuries are still going to be an issue by postponing any transfer to MMA.

[raleights]

for some reason I think he'd get slaughtered by the top tier heavyweights

[Heavy D]

Right now, definately. I don't know what he'd be fighting at though (presumably heavyweight, but can't guarantee that). But once he get's some striking skills and subs, I don't doubt he could be a force. He WAS an olympic gold medal wrestler, and even highschool/collegiate level wrestlers tend to do well. Only problem is that I doubt it would help much against the monster reach of Sylvia.

[raleights]

the bulk he has will get in the way of being an effective striker

it's just waaaaay too much

[raleights]

same with brock lesnar me thinks

[Heavy D]

Haha...definately. But theres no reason he can't "rearrange" those muscles over time into something a bit more useful to REAL fighting.

[Mintymen]

I always thought Kurt would do well in a MMA, along with Brock Lesnar. These guys are fast and strong. I don't know about Kurt's condition but Brock IMO would definitely create some altitude in the MMA Heavyweight Division.

[raleights]

look how big his arms are, I just have a hard time believing he'll be able to cope with the top tier heavyweights in terms of striking