Idris Elba is training to become a professional kickboxer.

He said: "It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally. 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."

Idris has been training in Britain, Cuba, Japan, South Africa and Thailand with former world champions, coaches and trainers.

And Idris has shared a shirtless picture of himself online with the words: "Cutting weight, two days before first fight, mind in the right place. Fear NO guy (sic)."

According to a press release: "This is no act. There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions."

The series, produced by Shine North and Elba's production company Green Door Pictures, will begin airing on Discovery Networks International channels in early 2017.

It's a busy time for the actor, who recently announced he will make his directorial debut with 'Yardie'.

The movie is an adaptation of Victor Headley's novel which follows the rise of a young Jamaican drug courier in London's underworld in the 1980s and the script has been written by 'Bronson' co-writer Brock Norman Brock.

StudioCanal CEO Danny Perkins confirmed Idris' plans in an interview with ScreenDaily and revealed that "discussions are underway with Universal Music about UMG-owned Island Records being involved".