Norifumi Yamamoto Biography: Norifumi “KID” Yamamoto was a Japanese kickboxer and mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC’s bantamweight division. Due to his aggressive, well-rounded style and controversial personality, he rapidly soared in the ranks of the Shooto organization.
Norifumi Yamamoto Biography
Yamamoto was born into a wrestling family. His father, Ikuei Yamamoto, represented Japan in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, & his sisters, Miyuu Yamamoto and Seiko, both won world freestyle wrestling titles. Kid visited Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, where he wrestled for three state titles (including a third-place victory as a freshman).
He lived with and was trained by Townsend and Tricia Saunders during that period. He was also briefly introduced under Choi Mu Bae. Yamamoto switched from wrestling to mixed martial arts at age 21, despite his father’s belief that MMA is not a serious sport. Enson Inoue, the fiancé of Yamamoto’s sister at the time, was his first trainer in the sport.
Norifumi Yamamoto Wiki
| Name | Norifumi Yamamoto |
| Date Of Birth | March 15, 1977 |
| Birth Place | Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Height | 5ft 4inch |
| Weight | 61Kg |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Car Collection | N/A |
Norifumi Yamamoto Personal Life
Yamamoto was married to MALIA, a Japanese female fashion model, and they had two boys and a daughter. In 2009, they divorced.
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What is Norifumi Yamamoto Net Worth?
According to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Norifumi Yamamoto has a net worth of $5 million.
Norifumi Yamamoto MMA Career
Yamamoto made his professional mixed martial arts debut on March 2, 2001, at Shooto – To The Top 2, defeating Masato Shiozawa unanimously. He would win his next two fights, both by first-round TKO.
During this time, Yamamoto challenged future Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson at Shogun 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Yamamoto dominated Thomson with takedowns & strikes, but an unintentional kick to the crotch three minutes into round two resulted in a no-contest.
Yamamoto lost his debut fight by TKO against Stephen Palling on May 5, 2002. Palling reversed Yamamoto’s double-leg takedown with a knee, causing a massive cut on Yamamoto’s face. Though Yamamoto successfully smashed Palling, blood began to flow from the cut, and the bout was called off. Yamamoto was ruled unfit to continue by the physicians, and Palling was declared the winner.
Norifumi Yamamoto UFC Career
Yamamoto made his UFC debut at UFC 126, facing future UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. After trying to fend off Johnson’s repeated takedowns, he lost the fight by unanimous decision. He was then scheduled to face Chris Cariaso at UFC 130 on May 28, 2011. Yamamoto, however, was forced out of the fight due to an injury and was replaced by Michael McDonald.
Damacio Page was supposed to fight again at UFC 135 on September 24, 2011. It, too, was canceled on September 1 after both fighters were injured in training. Yamamoto subsequently faced Darren Uyenoyama at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos on November 12, 2011. Despite repeatedly injuring Uyenoyama, including a knockdown in the second round, Yamamoto was defeated by a unanimous decision after Uyenoyama dominated him on the ground for the duration of the fight.
Yamamoto’s next fight was against Vaughan Lee at UFC 144 on February 26, 2012. Yamamoto dropped Lee with a right hand early in the first round but was knocked out minutes later by a right hook-uppercut combination from the Brit. He swiftly took Lee down but was trapped in a triangle choke; Lee then moved to an armbar, giving Yamamoto his first submission loss.
Yamamoto was scheduled to meet Ivan Menjivar at UFC 165 on September 21, 2013. On the other hand, Yamamoto was withdrawn from the fight and replaced by Wilson Reis. Yamamoto returned after a three-year absence to face Roman Salazar at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015. The fight ended in a no contest when Salazar could not continue midway through the second round due to an accidental eye poke by Yamamoto.
Yamamoto was scheduled to meet Matt Hobar at UFC Fight Night 75 on September 27, 2015. However, the fight was called off because both competitors were injured in the week coming up to the event. Yamamoto was supposed to meet Chris Beal at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016. On the other hand, Yamamoto was forced to withdraw from the fight on May 26 due to an unknown injury. Joe Soto has taken his position.
