Issue 006
July 2005
Tattoos for Ian Butlin, the 7-3 fighter from Yorkshire are more than just ink on skin or being a permanent fashion statement. Butlin had his first work done at the age of 15 and has since developed a serious taste for the ancient craft.
All his ‘body art’ has some significant meaning in his personal life. But, at the same time he does love tattoos and will, he says, probably end up almost entirely covered in ink (barring the sensitive bits, we hope! ed.).
The impressive tribal tattoo on his back stretches from his left arm right across to his right and down to his lower rib cage. This work is in two shades and Ian says was done purely to frame and accentuate the translation of a 17th century Samurai Warrior text which has been tattooed across the centre of his torso.
The wording, ‘He who has learned to die, has unlearned how to be a slave’, is done is Sanskrit, the writing style of the time the original was first penned. Butlin says this is almost a philosophy for what he does and how he lives his life. While not wanting to divulge much, Ian admits it means precisely what it says and any interpretation or revelation people may read into it or find in it could be applied not only to himself but others too. The tribal graphic at the base of his spine is the lower extreme of what will ultimately be a frame for the script on his back.
So far he’s had 32 hours of needlework done in three-hour sessions. And while most MMA fighters expect some pain in the ring, Butlin says only once did he have to stop having a tattoo being done and take a break. All his tattoos are sponsored by Marked for Life.
The Dragon between his shoulders represents the first team he was a member of. He has plans to have the name of his current gym etched on one of his shins. The Chinese characters between his shoulderblades just below the Dragon represent another philosophy Butlin believes in; Truth without fear.
And if that isn’t enough the character on his right upper arm means evil – not that Ian is an evil bloke – his right hand is! The character below his navel appropriately means centre. He’s thinking of putting some more tribal work on his stomach. “Perhaps in a V shape from above my belly button,” says Ian, “to highlight the centre.”
He also carries the names of his two brothers, Andrew and David where ever he goes. Younger brother Andrew’s name is inscribed on the inside of his left arm while his own twin, David’s name is on his inside right arm.
As for Butlin’s career, well he’s confident of a win in his next contest against Charles Bennet.
All of Ian’s tattoos are sponsored by Marked for Life in Osset, West Yorkshire. And the man fortunate to get up close and personal with Ian is none other than Monkey aka Michael Davies who, along with John, have collaborated with Butlin in creating a modern warrior look for the fighter. Future work will all be based on tribal designs according to Monkey. The next set of work will be done in time for Butlin’s appearance at King of the Cage in the US in October.
