A former boxing champion has issued a challenge to wrestling superstar Brock Lesnar, expressing his desire to face him in a professional boxing match.
Eric Esch, widely known as ‘Butterbean’, has declared his intention to return to the squared circle, specifically targeting a bout with the former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion.
Speaking to IFL TV, Esch said: “I’m going to do it one more time,” when asked about his comeback plans.
Butterbean’s foray into MMA took a disastrous turn in September 2010 when he faced Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW. Known for his knockout power in boxing, Esch struggled against the former World’s Strongest Man, who quickly took him down and forced a tap-out just 75 seconds into the action. Despite trash talk dismissing Pudzianowski’s striking, Butterbean later admitted the takedown was his undoing. Pudzianowski went on to have a lengthy MMA career, while Butterbean retired in 2013 after a few more. He has since lost 200 pounds and even teased a boxing comeback, but his brief MMA stint remains an infamous chapter in his storied combat sports career.
The 58-year-old continued: “I would love to fight Brock Lesnar in a boxing match. He runs his mouth, he’s a big guy, it would be a great fight and something that people would want to see.”
Emphasizing his serious intentions, Esch added: “It’s going to be a real fight, not this grab the money and run thing. I don’t want an exhibition, I want a real fight. I just had a deal with the owner of energy drink company Lucky Energy, which are going to help make it happen.”
Brock Lesnar has been directly named in an amended lawsuit against former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, which includes allegations of sx trafficking and abuse. The updated complaint, filed on January 31, 2025, by former WWE employee Janel Grant, claims McMahon offered Grant to Lesnar as part of contract negotiations. Court documents suggest McMahon arranged for Grant to create explicit content for Lesnar and attempted to facilitate a meeting between them. The filing includes emails, texts, and recordings that allegedly support these claims.
While no encounter occurred due to Lesnar’s reported intxication, the complaint states McMahon gave Lesnar Grant’s number and assured him she would comply with any request. The lawsuit also references McMahon arranging travel for Grant to meet Lesnar, further implicating both parties. Lesnar, absent from WWE since SummerSlam 2023, has seemingly been distanced from the company amid the controversy. These latest allegations add weight to the ongoing legal battle against McMahon, highlighting a toxic culture within WWE leadership.
Lesnar’s most recent WWE appearance was at SummerSlam 2023, where he has since been notably absent from the company’s programming and promotional materials.
Throughout his illustrious boxing career spanning almost a decade, Esch compiled an impressive record of 77-4-10 and captured the World Athletic Association (WAA) heavyweight championship. Following his boxing career, he also competed as a kickboxer and mixed martial artist.
Lesnar, 47, is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished combat athletes globally. He stands as the only individual to have claimed heavyweight championships in WWE, UFC, and the NCAA. The accomplished athlete also holds the distinction of being the youngest WWE Champion in history, securing the title at 25 years and 44 days old.
