MMA prospect Scott Butters has vowed to come back better than ever – and potentially in a lighter weight class – next year after tasting defeat as a professional for the first time.
Butters took a big step up in class to tangle with respected veteran Kim Thinghaugen at Contenders 24, an opponent who has fought on big shows like ACB and tested himself against current Suffolk UFC star Arnold Allen and Cage Warriors title contender Jack Grant.
And it proved a step too far, with Thinghaugen forcing referee Dan Movahedi to call a halt to the lightweight fight with seconds left in the first round, as he rained down shots on a grounded Butters.
But the Dereham grappler showed the heart of a lion and refused to quit despite suffering a serious shoulder injury – later diagnosed as a fracture – as he attempted a throw early in the fight, even managing to inflict a nasty cut on his foe which would require eight stitches to close.
Butters, now 2-1 as a pro, said: “I couldn’t really move my left arm, and I couldn’t push him off me on the floor. The strikes weren’t really bothering me, but they were unanswered.
MORE: Contenders 24 report and results
“I was trying to take my time and regroup and when I heard Dan shouting that I had to show him something or he’d stop the fight, that’s when I tried to move, but he was strong and felt heavy on top of me – that might have been because I didn’t have the power to force him off.
“In hindsight, I was holding my own with him in the stand-up so maybe I should have stuck with that rather than look for the takedown.”
Butters continued: “I was pretty hard on myself after the fight, I did have a little cry. But when you want something as badly as I do, you’re going to shed some tears.
“I think possibly now is the right time to drop down to 145lbs (featherweight) as I’ll have some time out with the injury and look to get back in there as early as possible in 2019.
“There are definitely positives to take, and now I can rest up and come back stronger in 2019. I just want to say thank you to all the supporters, as without them there wouldn’t be a card – and last night’s fight card was by far one of the best this region has ever seen.”
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