The former WWE star Kurt Angle on ‘The Kurt Angle Show,‘ opened up on how at one point of his career desired to join UFC and try his luck in the octagon. He had almost signed with Dana White’s company but ultimately the deal did not go through between the parties.
Kurt Angle had strong desires to be a part of UFC
Kurt Angle is one of the most loved legends and truly one of the best stars in WWE who had graced the squared circle. Many WWE stars had previously wanted to try their hand in UFC but some have blossomed in the octagon and some have failed in big way.
Angle revealed that he was also interested in joining Dana White’s UFC back in 2001 when UFC’s popularity was at its peak. The likes of Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture were the main reasons behind the prominence of the company.
He said: “Yes. I was interested; I would say around 2001, UFC would start becoming really popular. This was after Dana White purchased the company. By then, I was well into my pro wrestling career.”
He added: “So I was kind of putting feelers out, watching the product. You know, watching Randy (Couture) and Chuck (Liddell) and Tito (Ortiz). They all had great programs together. The fights were awesome.”
Kurt Angle was almost a UFC fighter in 2006
The WWE Hall of Famer revealed that he had almost penned down a deal with UFC back in 2006. He was reached out by UFC President Dana White that year and was offered a contract.
But, Angle had other plans as he had just started working with TNA at that time, but his heart had also desired to join UFC. However, the Olympic Gold Medallist ended up sticking with TNA, where he got massive attention and had a great stint at the company.
He said: “I actually approached UFC again in 2006. Dana White offered me a contract, but I asked him if I could do TNA and UFC, and he said, you can’t do it. You have to do one or the other, not both. I had just signed with TNA, and I felt an obligation to continue on with them, and I’m glad I did.
He added: “So, I made the right move. I made the better move by going into pro wrestling.”
Kurt Angle worked with TNA until 2016 and made his return to WWE when he was inducted to the Hall of Fame and ended his in-ring career at WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
