Those who’ve been following Idris Elba on Instagram over the last few weeks have been treated to a number of shirtless selfies and workout videos that show him taking up kickboxing. Now, it’s been revealed what his new training regime has all been about: he’s becoming a professional kickboxer!

Many had assumed that the 43 year old Londoner had simply been in physical preparation for a new role, but on Tuesday (August 23rd) the ‘Luther’ star unveiled that it’s all been about getting ready for competitive, professional kickboxing as part of a new documentary mini-series entitled ‘Idris Elba: Fighter’.

The series, to be shown on the Discovery Networks International worldwide from early 2017, will follow a year in Elba’s life as he develops his training while travelling from Britain to Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand.

Cutting weight, two days before first fight, mind in the right place. Fear NO guy.

A photo posted by 7dub (@7dub) on

“It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally,” said Elba in a statement. “Entering the ring to further test myself as a human being is a challenge I have been looking to take on for quite some time.” 

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A press release for the prospective docu-series says: “This is no act… There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions.” It promises to offer viewers an insight into Elba’s personal life, about which he has always been very secretive, “showcasing what drives him, his aspirations in life and the challenges he wants to face and overcome.”

Elba has spoken on a few occasions about how he did kickboxing training in his twenties as a means of keeping fit, but he has never fought professionally. The series will also cover his first ever pro match-up, against a seasoned kickboxer.

To accompany the press release, Elba took to Instagram to show off another post-workout selfie, revealing that the fight in question might be taking place in just a matter of days. He captioned the pic: “Cutting weight, two days before first fight, mind in the right place. Fear NO guy.”

Good luck Idris!

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