Mia goes MMA: Hong Kong model Kang signs with leading mixed martial arts agent as she aims to join fighting ranks after debut win

Hong Kong model Mia Kang has had a taste of life as a professional muay thai fighter. Now Kang has her sights set on the most popular combat sport there is – mixed martial arts.

“I’ve fallen in love with martial arts,” Kang said.

Kang announced on Tuesday she had signed on with the massive First Round MMA management group that previously helped guide the career of Miesha Tate, the one-time UFC world bantamweight champion who, along with the likes of Ronda Rousey, has been credited with helping MMA cross over into the mainstream globally.

“I’ll probably start training next week,” said Kang. “There are a couple of [muay thai] fights that I want to do in the next couple of months. While I’m doing that I am going to lay the groundwork with wrestling and jiu jitsu and see what’s up with that. Then, after these ‘thai’ fights play out, we can see where MMA takes us.”

The 28-year-old Kang has become one of the most sought-after models on the planet after featuring in this year’s Sports Illustrated annual swimsuit edition, and starring for the likes of the Guess clothing group in their global campaigns.