I’m a UFC star with a secret – I’m also a doctor and I’ve never told my parents of my other life as an MMA brawler
QUALIFIED doctor Ming Shi shot to fame last week with her incredible head-kick knockout at UFC Macau… despite her parents not even knowing about her fighting career.
The Chinese strawweight, 30, produced a brutal stoppage that prompted opponent Feng Xiaocan to be rushed to hospital.
Ming’s highlight quickly went viral on social media, deservedly earning her a $50,000 (£39k) performance of the night bonus.
The 115lbs contest was the final of the “Road to UFC” tournament, which sought to showcase rising MMA talent in Asia.
While Ming bagged herself a UFC contract with her win, she is now set to return to her day job as a doctor.
As per Sixth Tone, Ming pursued a career in medicine after being influenced by her grandparents.
She studied at the Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, specialising in acupuncture.
Appearing on telly from her desk she described what her day job is like away from the octagon.
“Every morning I work at the hospital,” she began. “Where I conduct ward rounds, speak with patients, check if they need new prescriptions or medications for the day and offer treatments such as traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture.
“I think only a few of my colleagues at the hospital know that I participate in MMA fights in my spare time.”
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Remarkably, her parents do not know about her blossoming career inside the cage.
“I don’t think I’m going to mention it to them,” she admitted. “For my parents, they are traditional Chinese parents, and they worry about me.
“Only a doctor or a lawyer, I don’t have other choices. So, I’m going to fight UFC, but maybe every time I will go back home after I recover.”
Standing at just 5ft 2in, Ming, who is referred to as “The Doctor” in one of the UFC’s more fitting nicknames, showcased last weekend that despite her lack of height, she possesses brutal power.
After her win, Ming showed her class during her octagon interview with Michael Bisping.
“I feel really happy and I worry about my opponent,” she said. “I hope she is okay. She is young.”
Ming also vowed to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan – “showcasing the power of a new generation of Chinese fighters”.
As her star rises, Ming may struggle to keep her secret for much longer.
She already has 35,000 Instagram followers, and had former two-weight champion Henry Cejudo gushing over her knockout last week.
‘YOU’RE A SAVAGE’
He wrote on X: “It might be time to tell your parents that you’re a savage!”
Despite splitting her time between two professions, Ming is not short of confidence.
She warned the rest of her division: “This time and many times I’ve shown I have knock out power.
“I think I’m going to be a dangerous girl in the future. And good luck to my next opponent.”