Kurt Angle Declares Arman Tsarukyan “The Real Deal” After Dominant Wrestling Display
Olympic gold medallist and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, a figure whose opinion in the wrestling world carries immense weight, recently lavished praise on lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Angle, speaking backstage at the Real American Freestyle (RAF) 07 event, expressed his admiration for Tsarukyan’s skills following his impressive victory over Georgio Poullas.
Angle, a legendary figure in both amateur and professional wrestling, believes Tsarukyan possesses the calibre to excel at the highest level of Olympic wrestling. “Arman Tsarukyan is the real deal,” Angle stated unequivocally. “He can literally go into Olympic wrestling right now and do really well.” This endorsement comes as Tsarukyan continues to build significant momentum outside of his UFC commitments.
The highly anticipated rematch between Tsarukyan and Poullas at RAF 7, held at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, saw Tsarukyan secure a dominant win. This bout was a continuation of a rivalry that first gained widespread attention at RAF 6. The previous encounter ended in controversy when Tsarukyan landed illegal strikes after the final bell, leading to a chaotic brawl. While Tsarukyan won that initial bout 5-3, his performance at RAF 7 was even more convincing, culminating in a 9-3 victory after a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest spanning three periods.
Kurt Angle’s Own UFC Opportunities: A Near Miss
Given Kurt Angle’s unparalleled wrestling pedigree and exceptional athleticism, many fans have often speculated about his potential in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It’s a question that has lingered for years, and Angle himself has revealed that the allure of the Octagon was indeed presented to him on multiple occasions.
In a past interview, Angle disclosed that he was approached with opportunities to join the UFC not just once, but three separate times throughout his illustrious career. These potential ventures into mixed martial arts were in 1996, 2006, and 2010. However, despite the compelling prospect, Angle ultimately declined each offer.
“I got offered three different times,” Angle recalled. “First time was right after the Olympics in 1996.” The initial offer, according to Angle, did not align with his financial expectations.
The second opportunity arose in 2006. At this juncture, Angle had already committed to a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He explained that UFC President Dana White would likely not have permitted him to simultaneously pursue both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.
The most recent offer came in 2010. Angle revisited the possibility with Dana White, who proposed an appearance on “The Ultimate Fighter” alongside Kimbo Slice. However, by this stage in his life, Angle, then 41 years old and having sustained five neck injuries, had to realistically assess his physical condition. “I went back to Dana, and Dana came back with an idea to be in The Ultimate Fighter with Kimbo Slice,” Angle recounted. “At that point in my life, I was 41 years old. I broke my neck five times. I sat back, and I realized, I started training for it a little bit, and I realized, ‘I’m past my prime, I can’t do this.’”
Considering Angle’s extraordinary achievements in both amateur and professional wrestling, the “what if” scenario of him competing in the UFC continues to be a fascinating topic for discussion among combat sports enthusiasts. His career stands as a testament to his incredible talent, and the decision to forgo MMA, while understandable, leaves a tantalizing glimpse into a potentially historic crossover.
