Shonie Carter: There comes a time when you have to stop

Shonie Carter announced his retirement from MMA at the IFC: Genesis event. Carter's defeat against the relatively unknown Israeli fighter Jeremy Knafo was his 5th straight, and 8th in his last 10 fights. Shonie Carter participated in TUF 4 and has a total UFC record of 3-3. In WEC Carter holds a record of 5-3, caputring the Vacant Welterweight title in a victory against JT Taylor at WEC 9, on October 17th, 2003. Shonie Carter's overall MMA record stands at 49 victories and 26 losses.

I had a chance to speak to Mr. International immediately after his announcement at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. Here's what he had to say about his career, and what's next in his life:

Shonie, you just announced your retirement from the sport. and I really have to say that it was quite emotional. Can you talk about it?
I’ve been fighting for 25 years. No matter how good you are, how great you are, you are replaceable. And there comes a time when you have to stop. There comes a time when you have to make a decision what’s best for you. I lost five fights in a row. When you take it to the decision it happens, but I’m 38 years old. My body hurts.

I may look doing some pro wrestling, and I think MMA fights won’ mind. Ring announcing, commentating, refereeing, but definitely not judging. If someone offers me a superfight, with good money, I might consider doing MMA again.



When you see fighters like Jens Pulver, for instance, you don’t want to be in the same position as them?
No, I don’t. I don’t want to get knocked out 5 or 6 times in a row. I don’t want to cry. I’m entirely pleased with all those years I’ve been competing. A lot of fighters don’t know when to end their career.

I auditioned for a movie with Wesley Snipes, and I also have one gentleman over here asking me if I want to be in TNA. So I said yes. I think this would be a great opportunity for me.

Heath Herring is also having an acting career now. He once said that he left MMA because he wants a Ferrari, just like the UFC President Dana White. Do you think that there will come a day when MMA fighters could afford themselves a Ferrari?
Yeah, I’m completely sure that this sport will grow and fighters will get better money. But this will happen only with my kids, when they do MMA. I’ll charge them only 10% each.

Do you want them to compete in MMA?
Yes. But if they don’t, it’s okay. It’s alright. I hope they do, because it’s a part of my legacy. Whatever they choose, I’ll still love them and take care of them.



Looking back at your career, what was your best and the worst moment? This one might be the most emotional, but let’s talk about the best and the worst.
I’ll start with the worst. When I lost my two sons. When my sons’ mother kidnapped my kids and they went out for a year. Fighting meant nothing for me. Working out meant nothing.  At that time I wasn’t on Facebook, I was on MySpace and people from MySpace helped me to locate them. I didn’t care about competition or health. My sole purpose was to make money and find my sons. That’s was the most hellacious year of my life.

The best was to see my children born. Fighting was only a job for me, but a job that I loved so much. I broke my hands, my legs and other bones in my body. Got Knocked Out, TKO’d… that’s was not so fun. But walking out of the cage with my hand up, was the best reward of all. It takes to be a very special individual to train to get into a fight, to get ass whoopin and to give an ass whoopin. Every time I step in there, it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.

Finally, what will be your advice to someone who wants to get into Mixed Martial Arts?
Train harder today than you did yesterday, and train harder tomorrow than you did today.