Chinese MMA fighter Shi Ming may have secured a dominant victory inside the cage, but it was her heartfelt tribute to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and the blockbuster film Dangal that truly captured the attention of fans across India and China.
Competing at Road to UFC Season 5 in Macau, Shi Ming faced Indian fighter Puja Tomar in a highly anticipated strawweight contest. The Chinese fighter delivered an impressive performance, submitting Tomar in the very first round and booking her place in the next stage of the competition.
However, moments after the fight ended, Shi Ming surprised everyone with an emotional post-fight speech that had nothing to do with tactics, rankings or titles.
Instead, she spoke about a movie that had inspired her journey in combat sports—Aamir Khan’s Dangal.
“Dangal Is So Touching”
During her Octagon interview, Shi Ming revealed that she has long admired Aamir Khan and considers Dangal one of her favorite films.
“It’s really important to me that people believe in me,” she said before adding, “I like Bollywood star Aamir Khan. The movie Dangal is so touching. I hope someone can make a movie about me like that someday. Dangal 2, let’s go!”
The unexpected statement immediately drew cheers from the crowd in Macau and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Fans praised the fighter for acknowledging the impact Indian cinema has had beyond borders, while many joked that Aamir Khan should take note of her request for a Dangal sequel.
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Why Dangal Continues to Inspire Athletes Worldwide
Released in 2016, Dangal remains one of the most celebrated sports films ever produced in India.
The film tells the inspiring true story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, portrayed by Aamir Khan, who trains his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat to become world-class wrestlers despite societal challenges and opposition.
More than just a sports drama, Dangal became a story about perseverance, sacrifice, discipline and breaking barriers—qualities that resonate strongly with athletes around the world.
For someone like Shi Ming, who has dedicated years to mastering mixed martial arts, the film’s message of overcoming obstacles clearly struck a personal chord.
China’s Love Affair With Dangal
Shi Ming’s admiration for Dangal is far from surprising.
The film became a cultural phenomenon in China, where it enjoyed extraordinary success at the box office. Chinese audiences connected deeply with its themes of family, determination and female empowerment.
The movie earned over ₹1,295 crore in China alone, making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever released in the country.
Aamir Khan, who already enjoyed immense popularity in China through films such as 3 Idiots, further strengthened his fan base with Dangal, turning the actor into one of the most recognized Indian stars in the region.
The Doctor Who Became a Fighter
What makes Shi Ming’s story even more remarkable is that fighting is only one part of her life.
Outside the MMA cage, she works as a practicing internal medicine doctor. Balancing medicine and professional fighting is no easy task, but Shi Ming has managed to excel in both fields.
Her unique journey has earned her nicknames such as “The Doctor” and “Dr Sleep” among MMA fans.
Like the athletes portrayed in Dangal, Shi Ming’s path has been built on discipline, dedication and an unwavering belief in herself.
More Than Just a Victory
While Shi Ming’s win over Puja Tomar was impressive, her post-fight comments transformed the moment into something bigger than sport.
Her admiration for Dangal served as a reminder of cinema’s ability to transcend languages, cultures and borders. Nearly a decade after its release, the film continues to inspire people from different walks of life—including a Chinese doctor who has become a rising MMA star.
And judging by Shi Ming’s enthusiasm, if a Dangal 2 is ever made, she might just want her own story to be part of it.
For now, however, she has already achieved something special winning a fight and winning hearts at the same time.
