It’s a surprise Butterbean returned to the cage after his MMA debut disaster.
The boxing icon – real name Eric Esch – crossed over to MMA after nine years and 73 pro bouts. Once there, he enjoyed some success as he scored a spectacular KO win over a 6ft 5in heavyweight known as ‘The Colossus’ and submitted Zuluzinho at PRIDE 34.
However, Butterbean also suffered some humiliating losses. The 5ft 11in, 400lb heavyweight tapped to strikes during a clash with five-time ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Mariusz Pudzianowski, before ending his MMA run with a vicious KO loss to a taekwondo instructor.
The rotund heavyweight’s MMA journey started with a ‘David vs Goliath’ fight against Genki Sudo at K-1 PREMIUM 2003 DYNAMITE!!! in December 2003.
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Butterbean learns about BJJ in MMA debut
Butterbean tipped the scales at 400lbs for his MMA debut, while his opponent weighed in at 155lbs.
Despite carrying a 245lb size advantage into the fight, the knockout artist suffered a defeat to Sudo.
The 8-3-1 MMA star, who holds a Brazilian Jui Jitsu black belt, did everything he could to avoid getting close to Butterbean in the first round of their fight.
Sudo spent the majority of the five-minute frame dancing around the ring and throwing leg kicks.
As the opening round reached its conclusion, Sudo shot for a takedown. Butterbean crashed to the mat where he ate ground and pound before his opponent switched to a heel hook submission attempt.
Luckily for the American, he was saved by the bell. Still, it was clear that Butterbean’s MMA debut was only going one way as he was unable to get near Sudo and looked like a fish out of water when the fight hit the ground.
Sudo attempted a dropkick in round two. The lightweight fighter was caught in mid-air and slammed to the ground. However, Butterbean got too close, and before long he was locked in another submission.
On this occasion, there was plenty of time left on the clock and he had to tap out to the heel lock that got his MMA career off to the worst start possible.
Butterbean wants a comeback fight
In 2013, Butterbean retired from all forms of fighting after competing in 126 bouts across three sports.
During his time on the sidelines, Butterbean’s weight problem became a potentially fatal issue as he ballooned up to 515lbs.
Thankfully, the 58-year-old has recently undergone a dramatic body transformation that has seen him drop over 200lbs to get back down to 300lbs, which is what he weighed during his peak years in boxing.
In 2025, he’s hoping to get back in the ring for one final fight. In the past, Butterbean making a comeback would’ve been almost impossible, but after watching Mike Tyson, who is the same age as him, and Jake Paul attracted 60 million people to Netflix for their clash, it seems anything is possible.
“It changed my life, it really did,” Butterbean said about his body transformation.
“Honestly, I thought I had a couple of years left to live. I’m not bulls*******.
“I really forgot who I was, and I pretty much gave up on life.
“Now I believe in myself again. Butterbean is back for one more fight.”