Kid Yamamoto signs with the UFC (updated)
Posted on December 8, 2010, 05:47 PM by Daniel CassidyWith the WEC soon to merge with the UFC, it would appear they are about to capture their first big signing for the new UFC 145 pound division, in Norifumi "Kid" Yamamota. The Japanese mega star is reportedly holding talks with Zuffa, with the obvious intent to bring him to the US. Should the talent acquisition be successful, he will join highly regarded Eastern fighters already fighting for Reed Harris' company such as Takeya Mizugaki, Yoshiro Maeda and Akitoshi Tamura.
According to MMA Junkie, sources close to the situation confirmed talks are on going between both parties in an effort to reach a deal. Should pen be put to paper, Yamomota will join a very deep division, currently presided over by Featherweight stand out Jose Aldo.
With the recent announcement of a merger, WEC President Reed Harris confirmed the company were actively looking at increasing the roster, but refused to reveal any names. Back in January 2009, prior to UFC 94, Dana White was seen in videos with Yamamota, leading fans to believe a deal was inbound, but it never amounted to anything. Despite this, White was very complimentary of the Japanese legend, saying:
"I've been a 'Kid' Yamamoto fan for a long time, I'd love to get him over here. There's two fights left on his K-1 contract, and he told me his dream is to end his career over here with us. So I'd like to see it happen."
Yamamota is one of the better known stars of JMMA overseas. Currently 18-3, the wrestling expert recently rebound from two straight losses, one of which a very questionable decision to Joe Warren. During the course of his nine year MMA, he has dispatched of notable fighters like Jeff Curran, Royler Gracie, Caol Uno, Genki Sudo and Bibiano Fernandes.
Source: MMA Junkie
Update:
Dana White confirmed through his Twitter account that Kid Yamamoto has officially signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Stay tuned to LowKick.com for more details on the deal, and who's set to be his next opponent.
Comments
Wow that would be pretty awesome
Thats sick, UFC is already adding some great fighters to the FW n CW division, hopefully Yamamoto n Omigawa perform well in there debuts
ALDO vs KID!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>>> DREAM FIGHT!
BW division* not CW
the Kid will get some great
USA-style training, conditioning and coaching
he will be a megastar here as well
Very true, if kid trains right, he will be very hard to beat.
Kid is a great fighter I wish he was younger tho, I hope he's not all washed up and wont be able to handle UFC talent. I want Japanese fighters to be successful in the UFC really badly.
Stop wishing and start watching Okami.
i cant wait for the UFC to start snatching up fighters over seas. people talk about how bad eastern MMA fighters do when they transition to american soil. IMO we just havent grabbed the right fighters and with two new weigh classes we can really start seeing how good japans fighters really are. i also find them more exciting
He's probably got the best chance at beating Aldo
Marlon Sandro has the best chance at beating Aldo, but they are really good friends
wow! if this becomes true...it'll be awesome...but sadly its going to be one of those cases where he's skills simply quite wont be enough against UFC fighters....i would love for kid to prove me wrong though
His hands alone will destroy the majority of the soon to be UFC division that is 145.
Thats going to be a tough weight class .. Aldo, Grispi, Mendes, Brown ..etc. Plus whoever in the UFC decides do drop down .. Sotiropoulos, or Diaz maybe.
The Lightweight Division is overloaded .. literally.
57 fighters on the UFC roster for lightweight. With only 16 on the Featherweight roster.
We are definitely going to see some major changes coming up in the near future. Not to mention some sick fights. Even if you have never heard of these fighters, it's gonna come down to do or die for a lot of them in the BW, FW and LW divisions. Some fighters might be willing to add or shed a few pounds so they can move to a division where they feel comfortable at. While others will simply be put to the test in a battle royale. It's gonna be this all or nothing attitude that will make or break a lot of names in the coming months and I am extremely excited for the opportunity to witness these up and coming stars emerging from intense pressure to prove to the world that they have what it takes to run with the big dogs. Norifumi has been tested and has been proven many times over. I pray that he stays injury free and when he fights, his explosive striking and quick and powerful ground game will definitely captivate the US crowd much like how he did in Japan. Team Killer Bee!!!
Very exciting to watch, get him signed Dana!
this is huge with the signing of Omigawa UFC gonna get tons of Japanese fans
The Moto rides in
I love featherweight, Mendes seems to be the only boring guy in that division and he is getting better at being more exciting
Kid vs Mike Brown, Main Card too please.
What I got from this video is that Yamamoto is very talented and athletic. However he also seems to enjoy beating the shit out of his oponent after they are unconscious and has trouble releasing submission holds when the ref stops him. If he pulls that shit in the UFC he will go the way of Paul Daley in a hurry.
This is why UFC is the best organization and has the best fighters. They keep signing more and more of the top names in MMA.