In a recent article he said he thinks Brock Lesnar's nerves invariably get the better of him and that is what prevented him from reaching the very highest levels in colligate wrestling, the WWE, and this recent loss to Frank Mir. That said, Angle also said he fully expects Lesnar to become HW champion in the UFC within the next few years. He said Lesnar sometimes lost matches he should have won in amateur wrestling because he suddenly doubts himself and loses focus (he only lost a handful of matches versus about 140 wins though). Angle claims that he dominated Lesnar in real amateur wrestling matches and that could translate to excellent success in the octagon in MMA fights. My question to you guys is: Is Angle now too old (I think he's about 40 years old) to transition to MMA? And he has suffered serious neck injuries in the WWE. He is very respected as a great former colligate wrestler.
His body is pretty battered at this point in his career. But I say if Angle thinks his body can withstand the rigors of MMA training - then go for it. He has as good a chance as any other 40 year old wrestler transitioning into MMA for the first time. That said - Angle amatuer credentials were stellar. He is or was at one time - a very special athlete.
back in his prime, he could get by on the wrestling alone most likely. someone as athletic as he is couldve learned proper striking no problem. Now, he's better off getting his money in wrestling or just simply retiring before he gets too old.
I cant imagine at 40 years old and being a full time wrestler which is 200 days on the road a year he has any legit striking or BJJ skills. Also like mentioned his body has been battered for a long time to a point where hes addicted to pain killers. He had a window of oppurtunity in MMA and its long passed him.
He missed his window, while there are older fighters, such as Dan Severn, Frye, Shamrock(who also has a fused neck), they have been doing it since they were younger. Kurt would get his ass handed to him.
he wouldve been a good champ too if he went down the MMA road instead. very charismatic and people could definitely get behind an olympic athlete champ
If his grappling match with Couture happens, and he does well, it will be a good sign. But age, and terrible injuries, not to mention just getting out of a major major drug addiction, all bode terribly for a future career in MMA. If he started right after the olympics, picture a more technical Coleman with even freakier natural ability, he would take people down as easy or easier than GSP did Serra. Once its down its up to how well he picked everything else up, but he is an unreal athlete who had both textbook perfect technique and and endless supply of effort. And he could have made 205.
Wrestling is only one peice of the puzzle as shown by Lesnar's debut in the UFC. Tapped out in 2 mins with a big weight advantage? If anyone remembers WWE's tough enough series Angle got Kimured on live TV by a no name fighter that trained out of frank shamrocks camp (I honestly forget his full name...Daniel Puder or something). They were doing a shoot wrestling match. Angle got his back standing so he went for the kimura and pulled half guard and had it. The WWE ref saved angle from getting his arm broken by calling it a "pin" for angle because his shoulders were on the mat even though angle was stuck in a kimura. Was pretty funny to watch the pro wrestling fans have no idea what was going on lol. Angle got up and was pissed. Note they say he was a "UFC" fighter. Puder never fought in the UFC. He's not ufc level. Angle can't even hang on the ground with guys that can't make it to the UFC. Not a good sign. Here's a vid. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4235797155301963663&sourceid=searchfeed
I posted that on here some time back. That kid was lucky Angle didnt tear him a new one. It was scripted and the kid pulled some bull**** and tried to pull his shoulder out. At the end of the day Angle is/was an olympic calibre wrestler. He had great credentials but his one neck injury away from permanent damage. The bones in his neck should have been fused years ago. His interest in MMA now is nothing more than a pipedream. Even as a professional wrestler he turned pro late. And i believe that wasnt even his first choice.
Yeah I've heard he has a ****ed up neck. Don't know if any state athletic commission would even allow him to compete. As far as it being scripted it was a shoot wrestling match ie it was live. Angles one hell of a wrestler but he really doesn't know the first thing about submissions. Lesnar was training for around 2 years now and got tapped very fast. The days of one dimensional world class wrestlers dominating are very very over.
Keep in mind Angle would have been fighting at the exact same time as Coleman, a time when wrestlers were headbutting the **** out of everybody. He would have be basically a better version of Coleman and Kerr, who were next to unstoppable. Heres Coleman vs Frye. http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/131384/Coleman_vs_Frye.html