Introduction
Jason Butcher (born October 23, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2008, he has also competed for Bellator and King of the Cage, where he is the current Light Heavyweight Champion.
Mixed martial arts career
Amateur career
In December 2009, Butcher fought for the North American Allied Fight Series amateur Light Heavyweight Championship against Dane Bonnigson. He lost via referee stoppage due to strikes.
Butcher compiled an amateur record of 4–2 before moving into professional mixed martial arts.
Early professional career
Butcher started his professional career in 2011. He fought exclusively for the Kentucky-based promotion, Spartan Fighting Championship.
Butcher won three times in a row, including first round victories over fellow prospects Jared Combs and Dominique Steele. In 2012, Butcher signed with Bellator.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Butcher made his debut on June 22, 2012 at Bellator 71 against Duane Bastress. He won via submission early in the first round.
Butcher faced Shaun Asher on October 26, 2012 at Bellator 78. He won via submission in the first round.
Butcher faced Jack Hermansson on March 21, 2013 at Bellator 93. For the fifth time in a row he won via submission in the first round.
Butcher faced Giva Santana on September 7, 2013 at Bellator 98 in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament. After losing the first round, Butcher rebounded and won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Butcher faced Mikkel Parlo in the semifinal on October 4, 2013 at Bellator 102. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28).
Butcher faced Andreas Michailidis at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Butcher faced Tamdan McCrory at Bellator 134 on February 27, 2015. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 15 matches | 11 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 2 |
| By submission | 5 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–4 | Emiliano Sordi | KO (punch) | PFL 7 | August 30, 2018 | 1 | 0:16 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Maxim Grishin | TKO (leg injury) | PFL 2 | June 21, 2018 | 1 | 1:41 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Jesse Murray | KO (punches) | KOTC: Locked In | October 28, 2017 | 1 | 2:42 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 | William Hill | TKO | KOTC: Violent Confrontation | March 3, 2017 | 1 | 2:07 | Carlton, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Robert Morrow | KO (punches) | KOTC: Harm's Way | September 17, 2016 | 1 | 1:01 | Washington, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Tamdan McCrory | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 134 | February 27, 2015 | 1 | 1:06 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Andreas Michailidis | TKO (punches) | Bellator 128 | October 10, 2014 | 2 | 0:28 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Mikkel Parlo | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 102 | October 4, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Visalia, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Giva Santana | TKO (punches) | Bellator 98 | September 7, 2013 | 2 | 1:12 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 6–0 | Jack Hermansson | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 93 | March 21, 2013 | 1 | 2:24 | Lewiston, Maine, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Shaun Asher | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 78 | October 26, 2012 | 1 | 1:32 | Dayton, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Duane Bastress | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 71 | June 22, 2012 | 1 | 1:03 | Chester, West Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jared Combs | Submission (triangle choke) | Spartan FC 11: Destruction | January 13, 2012 | 1 | 3:00 | Ashland, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Lamont Stafford | Submission (armbar) | Spartan FC 8: Onslaught | May 7, 2011 | 1 | 1:45 | Ashland, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dominique Steele | KO (punch) | Spartan FC 7: Locked and Loaded | February 25, 2011 | 1 | 0:45 | Lexington, Kentucky, United States |
Mixed martial arts amateur record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 4–2 | Mike King | Decision (unanimous) | NAAFS: Caged Vengeance 8 | September 24, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Anthony DiPiero | Submission (anaconda choke) | NAAFS: Rock N Rumble 4 | August 28, 2010 | 1 | 0:51 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Dane Bonnigson | TKO (punches) | NAAFS: Night of Champions 2009 | December 5, 2009 | 1 | 0:14 | Akron, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Dan Spohn | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NAAFS: Caged Fury 7 | October 9, 2009 | 2 | 1:38 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Phillip Clark Jr. | TKO (punches) | NAAFS: Caged Vengeance 6 | September 19, 2009 | 1 | 1:26 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Vincent Antinore | Submission (punches) | UVC 1: Rumble on the River | July 12, 2008 | 1 | 1:23 | Portsmouth, Ohio, United States |