Eric Esch, better known as “Butterbean,” was a legendary figure in the world of boxing. His unorthodox physique and remarkable record in four-round heavyweight bouts made him a fan favorite. However, his venture into the world of mixed martial arts did not go as planned.
In September 2010, Butterbean stepped into the KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki) promotion to take on Mariusz Pudzianowski, a five-time World’s Strongest Man champion. The contrast in their physiques was truly mind-blowing, as the two competed in an open weight class with no upper limit.
Esch came out swinging, but it quickly became evident that he was struggling with Pudzianowski’s pace. The strongman wasted no time in taking Esch to the ground with an expertly executed takedown and unleashing a barrage of vicious strikes. Esch tried to hang on, but the onslaught became too much, and he tapped out just one minute and fifteen seconds into the opening round.
Butterbean had claimed in the build-up to the contest that his rival “hit like a girl,” a comment that completely backfired. After the quickfire stoppage, Esch admitted, “I never said he fought like a girl. I said he hit like a girl. His takedown was good. I can’t complain. He won.”
Since that fateful night, Pudzianowski has continued his MMA career, competing a total of 26 times as a professional. However, his most recent defeats came in 2022, when he was beaten by Mamed Khalidov and Artur Szpilka.
As for Butterbean, he had a handful of outings in combat sports before retiring in 2013 after a loss to Kirk Lawton. He has since undergone a remarkable transformation, losing 200 pounds and even teasing a return to the squared circle, including a call-out to YouTube star Jake Paul, which went unanswered.
The bout between Butterbean and Pudzianowski will forever be remembered as one of the most eccentric encounters in MMA history. While Esch’s legacy in boxing remains intact, this particular MMA appearance was a disastrous one for the legendary power-hitting star.
