Shonie Carter made his mixed martial arts debut in 1997 after serving in the United States Marine Corps for six years. Although he carries himself as an unassuming, fun-loving character, he was highly thought of for his fighting skill during the peak of his career, having defeated the likes of Dave Menne, Chris Lytle, Matt Serra, and Jason MacDonald during his time with the UFC.

Carter’s 2001 victory over Serra was the most memorable win of his career, as he knocked Serra out with a spinning back first as the New York native stepped in to attack. The knockout has lived on in prominent highlight reels and “Best Of” documentaries ever since.

Carter and Serra’s paths reunited five years later on Season 4 of The Ultimate Fighter, when the two veterans lived together in the UFC house and traded mostly good-natured barbs over the course of the show. When they were finally matched up again in an elimination round, Serra got his revenge with a decision victory (as with all TUF season contests it did not count as a professional MMA bout). Though Serra revived his career by winning the season’s contract and going on to knock out Georges St. Pierre, it was Carter who stole the season on-air with his bizarre, amusing and inventive house antics.

Although Carter usually elects to stand up and trade strikes with the majority of his opponents, he was an All-American wrestler in college and participated in the Olympic Trials.

The Ultimate Fighter 4

Episode 1 Quarter Finals Carter def. Rich Clementi by Unanimous Decision

Episode 10 Semi Finals Matt Serra def. Carter by Unanimous Decision