Shi Ming's journey to the UFC is a unique blend of medicine and martial arts. He is a testament to the fact that passion and dedication can lead one down unexpected paths.
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The Beginning of a Fighter's Journey
Shi Ming's interest in combat sports began in his childhood. He explains, "I've liked doing sports since childhood." Initially, his focus was on striking arts. "First, I started with striking because, at the time, it was more popular in China due to kung fu films."
Later, his martial arts journey evolved. "Later, I started to learn wrestling, which really set me off on the path towards becoming a full-fledged MMA fighter."
Balancing Medicine and MMA
Before dedicating himself to MMA, Shi Ming worked as a licensed doctor in a hospital.
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At first, he approached MMA as a hobby. "Before, I used to take this MMA / wrestling stuff very light-heartedly." He found value in the mental aspect of wrestling. "Wrestling is physical chess, and it helps keep my mind sharp." He also enjoyed the release it provided. "It was just a fun hobby allowing me to relax and take my mind off my medical work."
Even with regular wins in MMA competitions, his medical career remained his priority. "Even though I was winning MMA competitions on a regular basis, it was always secondary to my main job as a doctor."
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The Shift to Professional Fighting
A turning point came when Shi Ming was selected to join the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai. "However, after being selected to join the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, I started treating it more seriously; sort of like a real job."
Accomplishments in Amateur Competition
Shi Ming's amateur career was marked by significant achievements:
- South-west Taekwondo champion
- Yunnan province Kickboxing champion
The Meaning of Fighting in the UFC
Fighting is what we live for. And no one brings you MORE live fights, new shows, and events across multiple combat sports from around the world. With a never-ending supply of fighting in every discipline, there`s always something new to watch. Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!
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