Butterbean’s iconic combat sports career ended with five consecutive defeats in boxing and MMA.
The prolific puncher quit MMA after suffering a vicious head kick KO loss to a taekwondo instructor in October 2011.
Two years later, he walked away from boxing with a 77-10-4 record following a third defeat in a row.
The last win Butterbean – real name Eric Esch – ever recorded saw him claim an MMA super heavyweight title.
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty ImagesButterbean’s final win
Butterbean squared off against Dean Storey for the Elite-1 Super Heavyweight Championship in May 2011.
Storey had an 8-16-2 boxing record before taking on the 390lb American knockout artist in his first and last MMA fight.
The first round was a complete mess, with a ton of clinching and not a lot of strikes landing cleanly.
Things changed at the start of round two as Butterbean came flying at his opponent, throwing big shots.
In the end, it was a short left hook that caught Storey on the chin to knock him down to the canvas.
Butterbean tried to follow him to the floor to land more punches, but the referee immediately waved off the bout, giving him what proved to be the final win of his ‘300-fight’ career.
Butterbean’s 2025 comeback
Butterbean was confined to a wheelchair for several years after ballooning up to 500lbs in retirement.
Now, he’s lost 220lbs and is ready to make a shock return to the ring at 59 years old.
“I wanna do one more fight to prove to people that no matter how down you get, if you believe in yourself like I believe in myself, you can accomplish anything,” Butterbean told Bloody Elbow in July.
“I wanna do it this year. Most definitely this year.”
Jake Paul is at the top of Butterbean’s hit list, but he is also keen on a fight with Brock Lesnar.
It seems unlikely either of them will agree to face Esch, as they have ignored his call-outs.
Still, Butterbean will complete his remarkable turnaround by fighting someone in 2025.