Pro wrestler Kurt Angle, who is signed with Bellator MMA as a non-fighter, recently appeared on Live Audio Wrestling and commented on Bellator MMA.
I really love what Bellator is doing. They believe that the company should not be built on the company name. You look at UFC, UFC says hey we’re coming to Toronto, who’s on the card, it doesn’t matter because we’re UFC. Bellator says hey we’re coming to Toronto, who’s on the card, we’ve got this guy and this guy and we’re going to build them bigger than the company name. They’re investing in talent, they’re investing in their names, they want to make their names big. It doesn’t matter to them if Bellator becomes a big name, they want their talent to become bigger than the company and I think that’s tremendous. They’ve taken a lot of incredible chances, when you saw Shamrock fight Kimbo, it was a great fight. Who would’ve thought it would be that exciting? The fight was phenomenal, Ken had him choked out but somehow Kimbo got out and knocked him out. They try it again and unfortunately, it didn’t work out as well the next time when Kimbo fought Dada and Shamrock got kneed in the groin by Gracie. They take chances, that’s what I like about them, they’re not afraid to do that. They’re using the older guys to make the younger guys more popular. They’re getting the older guys there to get the younger guys exposure. I really like what their doing. They’re letting their talent have sponsors and endorsements. Unfortunately, UFC kind of cornered them with the whole deal they have with their apparel company. A lot of fighters don’t have the sponsors anymore and I’m sure a few of them are pretty ticked off.
Angle made it clear that he will not be fighting for the promotion.
I like Bellator, I like what they’re doing. I am going to work with them in the future. Scott Coker is great to work with, he knows what he’s doing. He’s been in MMA for decades so if I was going to have anyone be the front of the company, Scott Coker, you couldn’t find a better guy for it. I’m just glad to be apart of it. They’ve asked me to fight, I’m not going to fight. I considered it. At this point in my career, I wish I could but I can’t. It was tough. I thought I could fight Shamrock or Kimbo but I’m not going to be able to fight (Liam) McGeary. The kid’s in his prime and he’s a damn stud. For me to fight someone like that, I could’ve done it ten years ago but not now. Fighting someone like Kenny who’s still a badass today, I would consider doing that. At the same time, with the injuries I’ve endured, I’m okay to get in the ring and wrestle. I can put on a one hour ironman match but to compete in MMA at this point in my career, that would be just pure stupidity. I wouldn’t be able to go the way I want to. I know I can pro wrestle the way I want to right now but I couldn’t fight the way I want to. If I can’t do it to my expectations, I’m not going to do it at all.
