Kurt Angle Discusses Nearly Signing With The UFC - Twice
Adds insight on how close he came to pursuing an MMA career.
"Ive had meetings with them all in MMA. World Series, Elite XC, twice with UFC. Whether it was the money or the timing wasnt right, it didnt happen. I considered going until I turned 42. When I did that thing with Dan Puder, I couldnt even do five pushups, my neck was so bad. He caught me with an armbar. Thank God he pinned himself. It was a wrestling match, not an MMA fight, but the thing is he had me. Dana wanted to go with it. Not that Id say Daniel Puder would be an easy fight, but I dont think hed have been a problem, and it was big money. But Id just signed with TNA three days earlier."After the Puder incident, Angle stated that the next idea was to have him appear on The Ultimate Fighter, something that has been talked about for years. That was the season Kimbo Slice appeared on the show, and was eventually derailed by Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
The second time I met with Dana, I took the physical. He wanted me to do The Ultimate Fighter with Kimbo. He was great. He was willing to pay me a good bit of money to be on the show. But he wanted me ready in four-and-a-half weeks. It just wasnt in the cards.Angle also confirmed that any possibility of him jumping to MMA is long gone at this point. He recently re-signed with TNA, and defeated Lashley for the title in an episode that aired last week.