Clinical in her pursuit of glory

Each division winner of the RTU talent selection program, introduced to China in 2022, automatically earns a professional contract from the UFC.

The Macao crowd went nuts following the spectacular finish, as Shi walked to the edge of the Octagon full of composure, soaking up a potentially life-changing moment at the UFC's first live event in China in five years.

"Oh my god! What a finish! I feel like my scalp tingles and I have goose bumps on my arm," strawweight queen Zhang said of Shi's thrilling KO, as she watched on at the arena.

Joining the audience for the jaw-dropping bout in Macao were Shi's parents, who had no idea of the whereabouts of their daughter over the weekend, nor what, exactly, she does every day in the gym after finishing her six-hour shift at the hospital.

Now, everyone knows, as video clips of Shi's brutal high kick, as well as her intriguing background, have gone viral on social media both in China and the United States.

"I haven't told my parents yet that I came to compete in an MMA event in Macao," said Shi, a 30-year-old native of Heilongjiang province.

"Probably, I will only meet them and tell them more about this after the bruises on my face get better.

"Now everyone knows me, and they will see me more often in the Octagon."

As surprised as the crowd appeared, Shi stayed quite calm after the Fight Night Macao, insisting that knocking the door open to the UFC had long been a goal for her and her team.

The confidence comes from her sixyear, nonstop training at the high-altitude fight club — Kunming is located about 2,000 meters above sea level — guided by her experienced trainer Bagher Amanolahi.