The 12 months was 2006. The occasion? PRIDE FC: Bushido 12. The matchup? Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa versus Eric “Butterbean” Esch. It was the type of superb, absurd spectacle that might solely occur within the anything-goes world of mid-2000s Japanese MMA.
Minowaman vs. Butterbean
On one aspect stood Minowa, the fearless “Big Killer,” weighing in at 198 kilos of scrappy brilliance. On the opposite aspect loomed Butterbean, the bowling ball-shaped boxing legend who tipped the scales at over 400 kilos. That’s proper, this combat featured a jaw-dropping 200-pound weight distinction. Assume David vs. Goliath, however with extra spandex and far more chaos.
When the bell rang, Minowa wasted no time in exhibiting why he’s an MMA cult hero. He sprinted throughout the ring and dropkicked Butterbean sq. within the face prefer it was a WWE Royal Rumble. The gang erupted. For good measure, he tried it once more moments later, solely to seek out himself pancaked on the mat below Butterbean’s sheer gravitational pull.
Butterbean, regardless of his mobility challenges, managed to make use of his bulk to achieve high place. Issues appeared dicey for Minowa, as Butterbean’s mass appeared extra like a geological occasion than a combating fashion. However this wasn’t Minowa’s first time grappling with giants.
Utilizing his superior grappling expertise, Minowa deftly swept Butterbean, turning the tide in his favor. From there, it was traditional Minowa: floor strikes, slick transitions, and an armbar that appeared unattainable however in some way labored. Butterbean tried to withstand, however after 4 minutes and 25 seconds of the primary spherical, he had no selection however to faucet out.
The combat was all the pieces followers beloved about PRIDE. This was a combat, theater, comedy, and show of ability all rolled into one. Minowaman along with his fearless method and pro-wrestling-inspired aptitude, cemented his standing as a real fan favourite. Butterbean, for his half, dusted himself off and went on to win his subsequent two PRIDE bouts, ending his MMA profession with a good 17-10-1 file.
Minowaman vs. Butterbean could not go down in historical past as essentially the most aggressive combat, nevertheless it was pure leisure. A freakshow match in the very best manner. PRIDE gave us fights nobody else would, and for that, we’re eternally grateful.
