TNA World Hvt. champion Kurt Angle, 42, says he’s not completely ruling out a transition to MMA, and how he fares trying out for the 2012 Olympics could determine his future.
“That remains to be seen. Depending on how good I do, I can’t say no. Obviously, it’s going to raise Dana White’s eyebrows,” Angle said on the Yahoo-affiliated MMAWeekly radio show this week promoting the “Warrior” MMA-themed movie.
“My goal is to make the team…Let’s see what happens, and I’m not counting out Bellator either. They’re going to be on Spike soon and you never know what’s going to happen with that company.”
Angle also recalled being in contact with UFC president Dana White in 2009 when he was considering leaving TNA due to personal issues with Jeff Jarrett and his ex-wife, now Karen Jarrett. Angle claims his health wasn’t the issue. Rather, not being able to work out the schedule for Angle’s debut fight.
“I contacted Dana White again after the movie (in 2009), I was thinking about dropping out of Impact Wrestling, and there were some personal problems with my marriage and everything. I just wanted to get away and I contacted Dana White, I flew out, and he had me take the UFC physical. I passed it, thank God, and he gave me the offer. The terms weren’t good – not for me and not for him,” Angle said.
For the majority of the interview, Angle talked in-depth about his acting aspirations. He said he’s hopeful his recent roles in “Dylan Dog” and now in “Warrior” will open up the door for more important roles in future movies.
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Should Kurt Angle Become An Mma Fighter After The 2012 Olympics?
Posted on September 1, 2011.
No.
He can make alot more money doing fake wrestling, at his age, and after his injuries, he would not be successful in MMA anyway.
It’s probably a pay cut to go from fake wrestling into MMA, especially since I cannot imagine he would be particularly successful, seeing as how he’s far too old to just start now, regardless of his real life wrestling background.
You’re kind of assuming that a 42 year old man, who has had several neck and spinal injuries, who hasn’t competed in over 16 years is going to make the Olympic team having trained for it for just over a year… he is going to be going against guys 20 years his junior, in their prime condition, NCAA Div 1 champs, and that he is going to come out on top and even make the team.
Him making the team is a pretty huge if.
Then post all the training for that, and possible injuries and hardship to his body, that at 43, he make his debut into MMA, (despite no training in striking) at the most elite level of competetion.
And considering a scrub league MMAer Daniel Puder would have broken his arm in a straight up grappling match, I can only imagine what elite level talent could do to him.
I think Kurt Angle would do about as good as Kimbo Slice, that is provided he could even make it through a training camp uninjured.
Sure the guy was an incredibly talented wrestler, but there are other equally as talented wrestlers who are younger who haven’t been true contenders. He is also 15 years removed from competetion just in wrestling, and has zero training in striking. I am sure he is tough, and an amazing hardworker, but the guy has had some serious injuries, and he is well past his fighting prime.
I don’t think he will make the 2012 team, or be any sort of serious contender in 2012 Olympics.
I don’t think transitioning to MMA would be good for him, physically or career wise.
He’s too old to do anything significant in MMA.
Yes/No. He is the 5-Time TNA World Heavyweight Champion & trying to be a 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist i feel at his age, which doesnt matter, he can do whatever the hell he wants. Also, he said hes going to advance in his career based on his performance in the 2012 Olympics, so going off what somebody else said, if he doesnt even make the team, my gut tells me he will stay in TNA until his contract expires and then retire unfortunately. But, then again i think 2009 might of been the best time for him to turn to MMA, i mean now is good too, but being the current reigning and now 5-Time TNA World Heavyweight Champion why would he give that up? Also, those talking about his age he was 40 when he took the MMA physical for the first time and he passed it, how would 2/3 years make a difference? On the last note, when Angle talks about an acting career i think thats what he will turn to should he not even make the 2012 U.S Olympic Team ( <--- pray that doesnt happen ) word to the wise