Kurt Angle to IFL?

JoeKickAss · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 10:17 PM

source: http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7247884

Quote:

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - The International Fight League is negotiating to sign what would be its biggest talent addition to date in Kurt Angle, the 1996 Olympic gold medal wrestler who later became a successful pro grappler.

"God willing, the IFL and myself can make a deal," Angle told FOXSports.com while attending the promotion's team championship finale Thursday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. "The best fit for me right now as a pro wrestler who [works] about 120 times a year is the IFL."

Angle, 38, has toyed with the idea of competing in mixed martial arts since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment in August 2006 to join Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Angle said the IFL's 12-team format is appealing because he could "start coaching and while doing that learn from my students."

Angle said he would need permission from TNA President Dixie Carter as well as roughly a year of training before being ready for his MMA debut. Angle's pro wrestling popularity could help expand the IFL's fan base as the upstart promotion tries to expand its following.

"The other organizations were pushing me for to fight right away for big money, bigger money than any other fighter has ever made," Angle said. "But I think they were doing it for my name because I had a lot of exposure in WWE and TNA. When I talked to the IFL, it wasn't like they came at me with the biggest contract, but they made a lot more sense.

"The IFL is giving me an opportunity to get my feet wet and train without affecting my job with TNA whatsoever. [The IFL] said they would be second priority and make sure TNA is happy all the time and they'll take me when they can get me."

Angle had tried negotiating with different MMA organizations to work a match against Brock Lesnar, another former amateur and pro wrestling star who has branched into legitimate fighting. Angle, though, said those negotiations fell through when Lesnar signed a contract with the UFC.

"We figured we would make somebody a hell of a lot of money," Angle said. "We were talking about it, but Brock jumped the gun and went to UFC right away and struck a deal. I don't blame him. The kid honestly wants to do three or four fights and retire. He's going to make that kind of money. I give him a lot of credit for that.

"I don't need to do this for the money. I make a lot of money and have a lot of money, thankfully. I'm doing this because I want to do it. I'm a big fan and have a big interest in it."

It's questionable how well Angle would fare in MMA competition because of his age, injury history and lack of experience in other fighting skills besides amateur wrestling. Angle, though, dismisses such talk.

Said Angle: "A lot of fans have been talking smack and saying, 'What's Kurt thinking? He can't do this. There's no way. He'll get his butt kicked.' They don't know me. They forgot I won a gold medal in the toughest weight class (220 pounds) in the world at the time. ... People have never seen my style, which is explosive. I think a lot of heavyweights and light heavyweights won't expect that."

Alex Marvez is a senior NFL writer who also covers mixed martial arts for FOXSports.com.

I doubt this will ever happen.

Steel · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 10:23 PM

Kurt..that Gold medal was won 11 years ago...it's 11 years, a broken neck and how many surgeries and debilitating injuries later?

As a concerned fan, I don;t want to see my Olympic Hero go down hard like that and it's true...it's damn true. If it happens I hope I am wrong but don't think I would be.

Thanks for theinfo man..repd.

pa99fighter · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 10:27 PM

fight? sure why not. coach? stay the fuck away from those fighters. maybe an assistant wrestling coach but thats it

jedilost1 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:02 PM

i think he'd probably do well until he faces a good fighter

hanman · #5 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:13 PM

do u notice that kurt said that Brock signed a contract with ufc, is it official now.

playuntiltheskyisblack · #6 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanman

do u notice that kurt said that Brock signed a contract with ufc, is it official now.

I noticed that too.

jbart321 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:36 PM

this probably isn't a good idea for kurt. how old is he now, 38? little late in life to start fighting like this. so, is he off the roids now, too? i just can't see this happening.

Kimuras"R"Us · #8 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:40 PM

Fuck Kurt Angle. I'm so sick of this shit. I actually liked him when he wrestled too. I just can't take this saga any more. Kurt, you're not a name in MMA. Either get in there and get KO'd or subbed or quit fucking talking.

ArMnHC · #9 (**permalink**) 09-20-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimuras"R"Us

Fuck Kurt Angle. I'm so sick of this shit. I actually liked him when he wrestled too. I just can't take this saga any more. Kurt, you're not a name in MMA. Either get in there and get KO'd or subbed or quit fucking talking.

AMEN lol

Misfits138 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 12:26 AM

Angle's full of crap. If he was going to fight, he would have done it by now, and if he was smart, he would have done it with UFC. I also think he's full of it concerning the supposed Lesnar contract. There may actually BE a contract, but I'm sure it's not for more money than other more well known fighters are making. Sounds to me like he's trying to puff up the value of wrestlers.