Big-bellied Eric “Butterbean” Esch is fearless when it comes to entering the ring to fight, even when he’s pitted against the strongest man in the world, Poland’s Mariusz Pudzianowski. The bout previously announced here on GRACIEMAG.com will take place September 18 at Poland’s KSW event. Knockout artist Butterbean didn’t take long in firing off pot shots at his next opponent.

“Mariusz Pudzianowski hits like a girl. Mariusz must be crazy to have challenged me, I’ve knocked people out all over the world, be it in Australia, China, Korea, England, or anywhere else. Mario, be prepared,” he warns.

Check out the entire statement issued by Butterbean in the video below:

Butterbean in action. Photo: publicity

Big-bellied boxing legend Eric “Butterbean” Esch is getting ready for another challenge. Outside the realm of pugilism, where he counts 78 wins, 57 by knockout, Butterbean has appeared in K-1 and has 12 MMA victories.

The 44-year-old is one of the fighters called on to participate in Polish event KSW, a promotion that recently sealed a verbal contract with Aleksander Emelianenko, brother of Fedor. The chubby knockout artist’s opponent will be local star Mariusz Pudzianowski.

The charismatic Butterbean is a popular figure. In an appearance on TV show Jackass, he showcased his skills against the “masochistic” Johnny Knoxville.

Check it out and don’t do this at home:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCMuXQNoal8

“His last fight in front of the Polish audience was almost a year ago. He battled in Japan, where he made a name for himself. On May 7^th he returns to KSW ring to defend his light heavyweight title, which he won knocking out Brazil’s Daniel Acacio. Mamed Khalidov, the best mixed martial artist in Poland, is back.

Ryuta Sakurai, a thirty-year old veteran was today revealed as his KSW 13 opponent. The fighter form the Land of the Rising Sun is one hundred and seventy-eight centimeters tall and weighs eight-four kilograms. He has forty fights under his belt, twenty wins, fifteen defeats and five draws. During his MMA tenure he fought on the biggest MMA stages including the Pride and Deep organizations, in the latter he even held a championship belt.

His wresting skills, in which he has trained since he was a teenager, will be his key factor in the fight against Khalidov. Sakurai also owns some domestic kickboxing titles in his collection, so he might be dangerous in the stand-up. How will this bout unfold. Who will leave the ring victorious. The biggest MMA show in Europe, the thirteenth Martial Arts Confrontation on May 7^th will answer these questions.

In his MMA debut Mariusz Pudzianowski needed only forty-four seconds to dispatch his opponent. His second fight won’t be that easy as his next foe is much more experienced and demanding.

On May 7^th at KSW 13, “World’s Strongest Man” will face Deep Megaton Champion Yusuke Kawaguchi. The Japanese fighter is one hundred and eighty-three centimeters tall, weighs one hundred and ten kilograms and has three years of MMA experience. He is a tough competitor and his ground skills are his biggest asset. He has a background in Judo and had amateur successes in this discipline. He is also not afraid of stand-up exchanges as he hits hard and has a monstrous chin.”

Check out the complete lineup for KSW 13:

Main event

Mariusz Puozianowski vs Yusuke Kawaguchi

Light heavyweight title

Mamed Khalidov vs Ryuta Sakurai

Middleweight title

Krzysztof Kulak vs Vitor Nobrega

Heavyweight tournament title

Konstantin Gluhov vs David Olivia

Tournament fighters

Daniel Tabera vs Jan Blachowicz