Shonie Carter

By Bryan A. Bushemi, Managing Editor

Make no mistake; Shonie Carter talks the talk. He goes by the moniker “Mr. International,” and to speak with him as I did in April is to embark on a high-speed verbal journey. From the North Side’s Chicago Fitness Center, home of the Shidokan “Triathlon of Martial Arts” competition, to Las Vegas UFC title matches, to running on China’s Great Wall, to a Russian nightclub on a pirate ship, and beyond, Carter has been around, and he’s happy to tell you all about it. He’s flamboyant and approachable, unlike many of his grim-faced, do-or-die contemporaries in professional mixed martial arts.

“You gotta have fun with this stuff,” he said to me earnestly. “If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

But that isn’t to say Mr. International is just about fun and games, that he can’t walk the walk as well as he can spin a silver-tongued tale about copping a feel on a Ms. Olympia bodybuilding contestant’s rock-hard ass. Since his first pro match in February 1997 (a KO-loss against LaVerne Clark), Carter has amassed an impressive résumé of seven national titles, three world championships, and a scattering of other honors. His “official” record is 29-12-6, mostly at light- and welterweight, with more recent bouts at middleweight, light-heavy, and heavyweight, but Carter claims (and my research seems to support) a more complete tally of 76-12-9. The man definitely can lay some smack down in the ring as well as in an interview.

Carter’s motivation for fighting so often has a dual inspiration. First, there’s the enjoyment of traveling first class, staying in luxurious hotels, touring the Danube River on a boat, being the guest of dignitaries and wealthy admirers, and so on. For Carter, the fight game opens up a world of memorable experiences.

“I’m living the crazy life,” he said with a grin and a chuckle. “Livin’ la vida loca!”

Then there’s the challenge of the ring, the blood and sweat and glory of pitting himself against other top fighters, which appeals to him. He trains hard, fights harder, and leaves it all on the canvas during a match. Even though he’s had his share of setbacks, Carter simply refuses to let it get to him. After almost every defeat, he’s bounced back to post a victory. How does he do it? Well, aside from the desire to prove himself, to get “payback,” Carter confides that he doesn’t take himself seriously outside the cage, so it doesn’t get him down or tear him up mentally.

“Nobody’s unbeatable, no matter what they say,” Carter insists. “So, I just go out and fight the next battle. I mean, I’m a gladiator. This is what I do. I’m not ashamed of my losses and I don’t over-celebrate my victories. I go out there and have fun, compete, meet people, make opportunities for myself, and keep going. I’m gonna ride it ‘til the wheels fall off, man. That’s the biggest thing.”

That attitude showed through when I interviewed him, even though his last match was a decision loss to Jorge Oliveira in January at the World Extreme Cagefighting Heavyweight Explosion. Carter fought 20 pounds over his current weight class and ended up breaking both hands during that fight. He was relaxed and open, flashing his well-known charm as he regaled me with anecdotes of his toughest opponents.

“My mother and my girlfriend, Samantha,” he laughed, face breaking into a huge smile. “I can’t win. I cannot win!” But aside from that kind of combat, where any guy knows he’s the underdog, Carter pointed to a few fights that pushed his limits. Facing Dave Menne (whom Carter fought twice between April 1997 and August 1998 in Extreme Challenges 5 and 20, earning a win and a draw respectively), was a “headbanger’s ball” where both required medical attention afterwards. His decision loss to Ronald “Machine Gun” Jhun he also described as being a war. The fight many in the MMA world consider Carter’s signature match, a brilliant win over Matt Serra (at UFC 31—Locked and Loaded) whom he took out with a spinning back-fist, is another Carter gives props to as hard-fought. He considers that his best fight to date, but insists that, at 32 years old now, he’s got more ahead of him.

“I think the best fighting that will come out of me will be when I’m 35–36, when I’m not as fast, I’m not as strong, but when my experience will come in and ride me through. That’ll be when everything falls into place.”

There’s much more to Mr. International than what he does between the ropes or in the cage, however. Outside the U.S., he’s a bona-fide star. And although many MMA fighters struggle for recognition beyond the fight community in this country, he’s doesn’t let that stand in his way. He’s working on a book about his own life, developing a comic book, has feelers out on his own “Mr. International” clothing line, and more. Carter’s non-stop ride has him ever on the move, doing PR, making appearances alongside Wesley Snipes and Arnold Schwarzenegger at fitness expos, signing autographs—everything possible to capitalize on his image and gain him visibility.

Hollywood, then, is a perfect fit for an entertaining guy like Carter. He’s “real damn close” to making a jump to movies, he vows. With his marketable name, ladies’-man image, and natural charisma—not to mention his imposing physical presence—Carter may be poised to soon appear alongside actors like Snipes as either hero or villain. A role in an upcoming horror movie, produced by Mark Vajdik’s BYOB Productions, is another possibility for the always-in-motion Carter, who makes no bones about his aspirations for wider fame and acclaim. He’s also looking for a book deal once he completes his autobiography and maybe having a movie made out of it, as well.

A former U.S. Marine of six years’ service, Carter waxed enthusiastic about more challenges he’d like to undertake. Aside from fighting all comers, conquering the movie and media businesses, Mr. International talked about HALO (High-Altitude, Low-Opening) jumping from planes, pro wrestling, getting involved with fighting organizations in the U.S. and overseas, and climbing mountains.

“It’s curiosity,” he said, sitting back with a Cheshire-cat smile, “and this cat didn’t die from it. You only live once,” he adds, then repeats something he said earlier. It could almost be Carter’s mantra, or the credo by which he lives his life. “I’m gonna ride it ‘til the wheels fall off!”

Rest assured, Chicago Fighting Arts Magazine will bring you more about this fascinating fighter and sports personality in the months to come. We’ll check back in with Shonie “Mr. International” Carter in an upcoming feature about his fitness and training regiment as he prepares for future MMA fights. Look forward to it.