The female doctor hides her MMA fighting from her family

Ming Shi defeated Xiaocan Feng by knockout to win the Road To UFC championship and secure a contract with the UFC, but it will be difficult to continue hiding her MMA fighting career from her parents.

On November 23, 2024, Shi faced Xiaocan Feng in the final of the Road To UFC tournament at Galaxy Arena in Macau. Shi was considered the underdog, but she shocked everyone by winning via knockout in just 46 seconds.

The Chinese fighter landed a high kick to the chin, knocking Feng to the ground, and then followed up with three punches to the face before the referee intervened. Shi then ran around the ring celebrating the biggest victory of her MMA career, while Feng was unconscious, lying on the floor for several minutes before being neck-braced and stretchered out by doctors.

Ming Shi delivered a high kick to knock out Xiaocan Feng.

Shi became the champion of Road To UFC Season 3 in the 48-52kg (strawweight) category, earning a contract to compete in the UFC, the world’s largest MMA organization. She also won the “Performance of the Night” award and received a $50,000 bonus.

In fact, Shi’s primary job is as a physical therapist in Kunming city, Yunnan province (China). The 30-year-old fighter admitted that, as a doctor, she often worries about her opponent’s health and is hesitant to land a strong knockout punch. “That’s my biggest weakness, I feel too sorry for my opponent,” she said on the UFC Fight Night 248 Post Show. “I’m not aggressive enough. It’s really hard for me to hurt my opponent.”

Ming Shi (wearing red gear) delivered a high kick that knocked Xiaocan Feng unconscious.

Shi also mentioned that her family back home has no idea she is competing in professional MMA. According to Shi, her parents only believe she is participating in traditional martial arts competitions for fitness purposes. Now that she has secured a contract with the UFC, Shi is concerned they might find out she is involved in one of the most brutal combat sports in the world.

“I don’t think I’ll mention it to them,” the fighter said. “My parents are traditional Chinese parents, and they care a lot about me. In their eyes, I have no choice but to become a doctor or a lawyer. I’ll compete in the UFC, and perhaps only return home after fully recovering.”

Ming Shi has a full-time job as a physical therapist in Kunming city, Yunnan province, China.

Shi has competed in 22 professional MMA fights, winning 17 and losing 5. She regularly participates in two of the largest tournaments in China (Wu Lin Feng) and South Korea (Road FC).