MMA Fighter Bios: NORIFUMI “Kid” YAMAMOTO

NORIFUMI “Kid” YAMAMOTO

BORN: Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
5’4, featherweight, lightweight

An excellent wrestler, hard hitting striker, and ultra-aggressive fighter, “Kid” Yamamato was a legend in Japan and gained worldwide recognition with his dazzling performances in the ring. A strong wrestling pedigree, Kid is the son of Ikuei Yamamoto, who wrestled in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Kid would be educated in the US and score 3 state championships in Arizona.
Making his pro debut in 2001, and score 3 wins in Shooto in Japan. In his 4th fight, Yamamoto would take on UFC vet Josh Thomson, and due quite well against the seasoned pro, before having the fight stopped after kicking Thomson accidentally in the groin. It was a no contest, and Kid’s next fight was a loss via cut to Stephen Palling.
But after that brief setback, Yamamoto went on a tear, lighting up Japanese with a display of wrestling, BJJ, and KO power the nation would in awe of witnessing. 14 straight wins, including victories over Royler Gracie, Caol Uno, Genki Sudo, Rani Yahya and Jeff Curran. Caol Uno and Royler Gracie were defeated in the same night as part of the K-1 HERO’S 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix tourney, and Sudo was Kid’s victim in the finals to win the tournament.
Yamamoto was an tear but he was hoping to achieve a dream of winning a gold medal in wrestling and temporarily left the MMA. An injury halted that dream to compete and excel in the Beijing Olympic games, so Yamamoto headed back to MMA, only to suffer his first defeat in 15 contests—a split decision loss to Joe Warren, the 2006 Pan American and World Championship winner.
But if Yamamoto continues to compete, there’s much faith he can rise to the top of the heap of the sport once again. A great wrestler, and vicious striker with some knockout power, good BJJ and a aggressive and effective ground and pound game, Kid Yamamoto has all the tools to be champion in whichever promotion he wishes to compete in.

KID FACTS
He has fought 4 K-1 Kickboxing bouts
He wins by stoppage 82% of the time
70 % of wins by TKO or KO
12% of wins by Submission
He holds the fastest MMA knockout in K-1 history, 4 seconds (via flying knee)
He has 9 victories in the first round, 53% of wins