Butterbean, the legendary boxer, MMA fighter, and wrestler whose real name is Eric Esch, is indeed still alive as of 2023. Now 57 years old, Butterbean has stepped back from competitive fighting but remains active in the public eye.
While Butterbean hasn’t competed since 2013 he has made occasional media appearances and worked to improve his health in recent years. In 2022 he began working with Diamond Dallas Page on DDP Yoga, losing over 100 pounds from his peak fighting weight.
This weight loss enabled Butterbean to get hip replacement surgery in 2022. Since then he has expressed interest in making a boxing comeback against the likes of Jake Paul or Mike Tyson though no official bouts have been arranged.
Butterbean’s Fighting Career
Butterbean burst onto the fighting scene in the early 1990s, dominating the Toughman Contest circuit. He transitioned to professional boxing in 1994 and developed a reputation as the “King of the 4 Rounders,” racking up an impressive string of KO wins.
In 2003, Butterbean began competing in kickboxing and MMA organizations like K-1 and Pride FC. Though he struggled against elite strikers and grapplers, Butterbean earned some signature wins against the likes of Genki Sudo.
Butterbean continued boxing throughout the 2000s before retiring in 2013 after a TKO loss in Australia. He ends his 20+ year fighting career with an incredible record of 97-24-5 including 65 KOs and 9 submissions.
Life After Retirement
Since retiring from fighting, Butterbean has made occasional media appearances, including roles in Jackass productions. He also starred in the reality show Big Law: Deputy Butterbean in 2011, which followed his work as a reserve deputy in Alabama.
In 2018, Butterbean opened a BBQ restaurant in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama. However, his health issues, including severe mobility problems, led him to close the restaurant within a few years.
At his peak, Butterbean weighed over 400 pounds. But through his work with DDP Yoga starting in 2022, he has gotten down below 300 pounds for the first time in decades. This transformation has Butterbean dreaming of a boxing comeback.
What’s Next for Butterbean?
While any talk of a Butterbean comeback in his late 50s is mostly hypothetical, the man himself seems motivated to get back in fighting shape. Having regained mobility after hip surgery, Butterbean clearly isn’t ready to leave boxing behind just yet.
Whether or not any official bouts materialize, expect to continue seeing Butterbean make appearances at conventions, in exhibitions, and in the occasional TV spot or movie cameo.
Though his days as a competitive prizefighter have passed, Butterbean remains a beloved figure in the combat sports world. His comeback from serious health issues in his late 50s is nothing short of inspirational.
So while we may have seen the last of Butterbean the fighter, the larger-than-life personality remains alive and well. Expect to keep hearing the name Butterbean for years to come.
k
Butterbean’s Comeback – One More Fight
FAQ
What has happened to Butterbean?
Is Butterbean a real boxer?
Can Butterbean still turn into wait what?
Does Butterbean want to fight Jake Paul?
Who is Butterbean?
Who is ‘Butterbean?’ All you need to know about the fan-favourite American MMA icon Eric Esch Eric Esch, popularly known by his nickname, Butterbean, was a very accomplished combat sports athlete during his 19-year career. The super heavyweight competed in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, and even had stints in professional wrestling.
How much weight did Butterbean lose in 2000?
Former boxer Butterbean showed off a dramatic weight loss of more than 200 pounds in the last two years. Instagram / Butterbean Butterbean in June of 2000. Instagram / Butterbean “But in my life I was getting down, I was way overweight and just feeling down. I didn’t know if I had a couple of years to live or not.”
Why is he called ‘Butterbean’?
He received the nickname “Butterbean” when he was forced to go on a diet (consisting mostly of chicken and butterbeans) in order to meet the Toughman 400 pound (181 kg) weight limit under the new age trainer Prozay Buell “the better Buell”.
Did Butterbean ever return to fighting form?
Butterbean persevered nonetheless, determined to return to fighting form. His tearjerking journey can be watched below in ‘Butterbean’s Comeback – One More Fight’: By the time Butterbean was ready for hip surgery, he’d dropped below 300 lbs., which was a record low for the heavyweight fighter in many years.