Ritch began learning karate from a young age and also competed in high school wrestling before becoming a professional kickboxer beginning as an amateur sometime in 1988.
[1] With Blackwater, he was deployed to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan which served as a launch pad for his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and later transition to a career in professional mixed martial arts.
Ritch compiled a record of 13-16 (1) with notable wins in the Super Brawl promotion in Hawaii and single night tournaments in Texas before being signed by the PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan.
In 2018 Shannon took part in an event promoted by former UFC fighter Brad Kohler, taking place in Russia with no audience and no ring or cage.
[4] On October 5, 2018, Ritch was to fight in the main event of DWF: MMA Mega Showdown in Delaware against professional wrestler Michael Youngblood, who briefly competed for the WWE and held a 1-0 pro record after beginning his mixed martial arts career earlier in the year, for the DWF Heavyweight Championship and co-headlined by former UFC contender Mike Bronzoulis against veteran Marcus Gaines who is also an occasional training partner with Shannon.
Bellator MMA Women's Flyweight Champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, who was cornering a fighter on the card, later described the venue as "complete chaos" after watching the promoters rush to flee the scene as police began to enter.
Ritch has notable bouts in submission grappling against Rodrigo Gracie at a NAGA/Gracie Academy hosted event in 2007, Ben Askren at the 2009 FILA USA World's, Ron Keslar at the SJJIF 2017 Worlds, Robert Drysdale black belt and QUINTET competitor Marcelo Nunes at Submission Hunter Pro 22 that ended in a draw and Jeff Monson in a 2016 no-gi bout that took place in Russia.
Ritch currently holds a 26–3 record in bare-knuckle boxing with all of his wins coming by way of knockout, and ranked as the #8 heavyweight bare knuckle fighter in the world as of 2019.
In 2016 Shannon was to fight against boxing superstar Bobby Gunn for the coveted Police Gazette Diamond Heavyweight Championship and the winner receiving a $100,000 win bonus, the bout never materialized.
In 2003 Ritch was signed to a one year developmental contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling and had one match against Rocky Romero that ended in a double count out after both wrestlers brawled outside the ring past the time limit given by the referee.
[9] He would go on to win the match after eliminating the final two opponents in the 20-man battle royal, Timothy Thatcher and former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Classic.
He made his debut in a match against The New Hart Foundation member Kenny Lester on February 20 in Wabasca, Alberta, Canada and won via pinfall after a distraction from Ken Shamrock.
[12][13] Ritch was matched against the Burmese fighter Ei Htee Kaw in a fight held at a contract weight of 165 lb the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium.