8 Most Shocking UFC Plans That Almost Happened

As far as most people are concerned, Kurt Angle's sole foray into competitive fighting after his Olympic wrestling career came when he engaged in an impromptu submission grappling match with eventual Tough Enough winner and professional MMA fighter, Daniel Puder on an episode of Smackdown.

In that, Angle was saved the embarrassment of having to tap out to a wrestling rookie on television thanks to the quick thinking of a referee, but that experience did not put the Wrestling Machine off the possibility of shootfighting in the future.

After leaving the WWE in 2006, speculation that Angle may follow fellow esteemed wrestlers such as Dan Henderson and Rulon Gardner into the cage was rife.

Despite the speculation, Angle ultimately never stepped foot in the Octagon. However, that wasn't due to a lack of trying from Dana White, who twice offered Angle the opportunity to fight in the UFC.

The first came in 2006, with White attempting to capitalise on the controversy surrounding the incident between Angle and Puder. Unfortunately, Angle had recently signed with TNA and couldn't commit to fighting full time.

Again the UFC came calling in 2009, with White wanting Angle to compete in the 10th series of The Ultimate Fighter alongside fellow outside attraction, Kimbo Slice. White claimed that Angle failed his medical for the show and one of the biggest fights the UFC could have put on at that time was nixed.