Wearing gloves and mouthguard instead of white gown and stethoscope, China's doctor-turned-fighter Shi Ming proved in Macao she's as adept at fighting as she is treating patients at her clinic.

The emerging mixed martial artist, who's a full-time doctor at a hospital in Kunming, Yunnan province, made a statement of her pursuit of a career in the brutal world of combat sport with a thrilling first win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, secured by a first-round submission of Indian opponent Puja Tomar on Friday.

In just her second Octagon appearance since signing up with the Las Vegas-based promotion in December 2024, Shi delivered a dominant and clinical performance by forcing Tomar to tap out via a tight arm-triangle choke just a minute and a half into the first round of their strawweight bout, which headlined the Road To UFC Season 5 opening round's day-two actions at the Galaxy Arena.

To clinch her first UFC win in front of her home crowd, and in compelling fashion, Shi has silenced doubts about her readiness to fight like a pro following her disappointing debut loss in Shanghai last summer.

"The loss last time was really frustrating, so this one feels like a great confidence boost that I need," said Shi, who had to work intensively overtime for a week at her hospital to make the trip to Macao during her off days.

"Throughout all the fights in my career, I've always been considered the underdog. Tonight was the first time that I entered a bout as the favorite," said the 31-year-old semipro, who trains three times a week at the China Catch Wrestling club in Kunming under guidance by the gym's Iranian coach Bagher Amanolahi.

"I am so glad that I proved I belong (in the top promotion). I feel even happier than when I got the UFC contract," said Shi, who was signed by the organization as the strawweight division winner of the RTU tournament's Season 3 in 2024.

Dubbed the "fighting doctor" by fans and fellow athletes, Shi's dual identity and amateur background sets her apart in the high-intensity combat sports community, resonating with ordinary combat sports enthusiasts.

When she is not perfecting her wrestling, grappling and striking skills at her fight club, Shi is known as a soft-spoken traditional Chinese medicine practitioner relaxing muscles and soothing pains with her specialty in acupuncture treatment.

Her priority, for now, is expected to shift to her fiercer alter ego.

"I am ready and I've been staying in good shape. I'd like to fight more frequently, so I wish the UFC would arrange more fights for me," said Shi, whose favorite fighter is China's former strawweight world champion Zhang Weili.