IFL Willing to Accommodate Kurt Angle

It seems that pro wrestler/MMA hopeful Kurt Angle and the IFL are putting together a deal for Kurt that "would fit his schedule in terms of balancing fighting with his professional wrestling career," MMAWeekly is reporting.

Last month, Angle told FOXSports.com that the IFL would be the best fit, considering that his TNA (Total Nonstop Action) wrestling career has him working "about 120 days a year." IFL teams compete just three times during the regular season, which might not seem like much, but considering that fighters on top teams could fight up to seven matches a year (counting play-off appearances), IFL fighters are as busy as any in all of MMA.

In addition to the IFL accommodating Angle’s wrestling demands, what Angle also likes about the IFL is the league’s team concept, says IFL commissioner Kurt Otto. "Kurt Angle really wants to come on board. He wants to learn MMA and he wants to come to the IFL specifically because of the team format because he’s used to that," Otto told MMAWeekly.

The more I think about it, the more symbiotic this whole team concept seems to be for Angle and the IFL. With virtually no professional MMA experience under his belt, training with a team of fighters and coaches seems like a great way for Angle to cut his teeth in the MMA game. What Angle lacks in experience, he makes up for in experience. As a teammate, Angle brings to the table an Olympic gold medal and two NCAA D-I championships, as well as some serious skill and athleticism. Plus, you can bet that plenty of TNA fans would tune in to the IFL to see Angle give out/be given a real-life beating. From a PR standpoint, having Angle in the IFL could be a good move.

Assuming that Angle and the IFL are meant to be, what team would get Angle? I reported recently that Portland Wolfpack coach Matt “The Law” Lindland is sitting on "some big news" about who his heavyweight will be for the 2008 season. Lindland said that he had been waiting on the mystery fighter to reach U.S. soil and get in with Team Quest, but that he feels the Wolfpack will have the top IFL heavyweight next year. Anyone know if Angle had been spending time overseas?

Either way, I remain a bit skeptical of Angle as a mixed martial artist. Angle is closing in on 40 years of age, he has a history of neck injuries, he is already has a high-profile, full-time job, and he was recently arrested in his home for DUI – not a good list of obstacles for any MMA rookie.

Kurt Angle Busted for DUI

The following is from ProElite.com:

New details have surfaced regarding TNA Champion Kurt Angle's arrest last Friday. Angle was formally charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance and Careless Driving.

According to a press release issued by the Moon Township Police Department (Allogheni County, PA), a motorist reported that a white Cadillac Escalade had just pulled out of a local bar and nearly struck their vehicle. The witness observed Angle's vehicle cross over double yellow lines and nearly hit a street sign along the road as it traveled down the highway.

The motorist gave police officers the registration information of the vehicle and a description of the driver. Police then learned the vehicle was registered to Kurt Angle, a local resident.

Police visited the home of Kurt Angle and found the white Cadillac Escalade in the driveway. Angle matched the description of the driver in question and he confirmed he had just left the bar where the witness saw him. After submitting to and failing a field sobriety test, Angle was arrested and transported to a local hospital. At the hospital, Angle failed to take a blood test.

Angle was then taken to the police station, processed and released. He will be ordered to appear before the Magistrate at a future date for a Preliminary Hearing.

Source: tmz.com


Wow! It's not too often that you hear of someone being busted for DUI when he/she isn't actually behind the wheel at the time of the arrest. Idiot.

Dana White: Angle Wouldn't Stand a Chance

At a post-UFC 72 press conference, Dana White confirmed that he and Olympic/professional wrestler Kurt Angle are again discussing a possible MMA debut with the UFC for the former gold medalist.

Although White said he harbors no bad feelings and truly does "respect" Angle, he feels that Angle, at 39 years of age, wouldn’t stand a chance if he were to jump right into the octagon.

"I think he needs to work on his MMA. He’ll get destroyed by any of these guys. He’s a nice guy… I like him, but I’ll tell it like it is. I think he’s going to get destroyed if he comes in and fights with the UFC. Because he’s a gold medal wrestler, I respect him for that, but… you just don’t jump from the WWE to MMA."

White also said that Angle refused a UFC contract that would pay Angle to spend a year training with UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture and others UFC fighters.

I realize that a 39-year-old pro wrestler with no MMA experience and a busted neck is little more than hype, so I'm kind of ashamed for even posting this drivel.