Boxing legend Eric Esch, better known as Butterbean, has recently spoken about his experience in mixed martial arts and the specific rule that ultimately prevented him from competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
While he gained fame primarily as a heavyweight boxer, Butterbean also embarked on a 28-fight MMA career.
During his time in MMA, he faced several notable fighters before his last recorded bout in October 2011, which ended in a head kick knockout loss against a taekwondo practitioner who later became a politician.
The 58-year-old competed across various significant MMA promotions, but notably, never the UFC. According to Butterbean, this was due to a weight regulation he considers “crazy.”
Why Butterbean Never Fought in the UFC
The UFC imposes a weight limit for its heavyweight division, set at 266 pounds for non-title contests (and 265 pounds for championship fights).
At the peak of his career, Butterbean typically weighed between 350 and 400 pounds, significantly exceeding the UFC`s allowed weight, thus rendering him ineligible for a contract.
Although he has since undergone a dramatic physical transformation, losing around 220 pounds from a high of 500 pounds after his retirement in 2013, he says current health issues, specifically relating to his hips, would still prevent him from fighting in the UFC.
Reflecting on his career, Butterbean stated, “I had almost 50 MMA fights total… I fought in Pride, K1, and Cage Rage. I fought in almost all of them except the UFC because they have this crazy rule that you have to be under 265lbs. Come on, guys.”
He added that he could now potentially meet the weight requirement, but other factors prevent it: “Now I could get there. I`m at 280lbs right now, and I could get down to 260 if they would let me fight. But with my new hips, I can`t fight UFC.”
Untrained Victory Against James Thompson
Butterbean also recalled a memorable moment in his MMA career: securing a 43-second knockout win against the 6ft 5in English fighter James “The Colossus” Thompson in 2007.
Thompson, who retired in 2017 after 39 professional fights, had faced prominent figures including Dan Severn and Bobby Lashley and was known for his preference for standing striking.
This striking-focused approach, however, proved disadvantageous against Butterbean in their unexpected bout at Cage Rage 20 in London, leading to the quick upset finish.
Looking back almost two decades later, the hard-hitting American confessed to a surprising lack of preparation for that specific fight.
Butterbean commented on the challenge Thompson presented: “James Thompson was a really tough dude… The crazy thing is, at that point in my life, I had almost started not believing in myself, and I wasn’t training like I should’ve. I never even stepped in the gym before my fight with James Thompson.”
He speculated on the outcome if he had trained: “If I had trained for that fight, it would’ve been quicker than the first round.”
