Born and raised in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, Butler began wrestling at the age of eight and later attended Point Pleasant Beach High School where he was a four-year varsity starter. Butler was talented, winning a state championship, and finished his high school career undefeated in home dual meets before continuing his wrestling career at Princeton University. At Princeton, Butler was a two time captain of the team, a two-time MVP, and an All-American in the junior freestyle category. Butler also competed in the U.S. Open and Olympic Qualifiers. After graduating from Princeton with a degree in economics in 2006 Butler followed many of his classmates into banking, and went to work on Wall Street with Thor Equities, but became tired of the routine after two and a half years and decided to quit his job to move to Southeast Asia in 2008. In 2011 Butler responded to an advertisement from Evolve MMA in Singapore which was looking for a wrestling coach to join its fight team. After a conversation with owner Chatri Sityodtong Butler was invited for a trial and offered a place on the team which he accepted. The other successful candidate was U.S. Olympian wrestler Heath Sims. Butler says he made the decision to become a full-time martial artist because it was his 'passion'.
Butler was signed by Singapore-based promotion ONE FC and made his debut on the undercard of at Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 2. He defeated Antonio Romulo from Indonesia via TKO midway through the opening round. In his second fight he took on Swain Congco from Saipan at at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on April 5 and again won by TKO midway through the opening round. Butler next faced Canadian James Kouame in a Catchweight bout of 198 lbs. at on September 13, 2013. Butler won via arm-triangle choke submission in the first round. Butler then faced French fighter Sylvain Potard at on October 18, 2014. Butler was handed his first professional loss via TKO in the second round. Butler next fought at on July 11, 2014 against Mohamed Ali. Butler won via TKO in the third round. Butler faced Sylvain Potard in a rematch at on December 5, 2014. Butler avenged his first career loss and won via unanimous decision. Butler next fought is Cristiano Kaminishi in on September 27, 2015. Butler won via unanimous decision. Butler next fought is Tatsuya Mizuno in a Catchweight bout of 210 lbs. at on January 29, 2016. Butler won via TKO in the first round. Butler next fight is Marcin Prachnio at on August 27, 2016. Butler lost via TKO in the first round. In 2018, Butler next fight is Gilberto Galvao at on March 24, 2018. Butler lost via TKO due to a knee injury in the second round
