Norifumi Yamamoto
Norifumi Yamamoto also popularly known as “Kid” weighing about 65kg and 5 ft 4 inches in height was born on March 15, 1977 in Kawasaki, Japan. Being a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter, he is also associated with Killer Bee and Purebred Tokyo. Yamamoto is a person who has in a very short span of time have gained recognition in the Shooto organization for his insistent, well- rounded approach and contentious persona.
Talking about yamamoto’s career, what is the most impressive part is, that he has fought many a time in the lightweight division, although he being a natural featherweight. He also has a victory over, one of the finest lightweights in MMA, Caol Uno.
Coming from a wrestler background, Yamamoto’s father represented Japan, at the Olympic Games, Munich in 1992 and his sister, Seiko competes at an International level. Norifumi was quite experienced as he had wrestled during his school years, in the United States of America and has also briefly trained under Choi Mu Bae. The man behind to introduce this fresh and talented wrestler in the world of MMA was Inoue.
Starting his career exceptionally he use to wrestle at Marcos de Niza High School which gave him a lot of exposure and also success. He holds three state championships in four years and also secured a 3rd place finish as a freshman.
Norifumi yamamoto have an exceptional mixed martial arts record with 15 wins, 11 by knockouts, 2 by submissions, 1 lost and o draws. Mentioning few victories includes K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite against Istvan Majoros via TKO (punches), K-1 Hero’s 5 against Kazyuki Miyata via KO (Flying Knee), SB 29- Superbrawl 29 against Jeff Curran by decision, K-1 Max World Grand Prix 2004 Final against Kazuya Yasuhiro by Submission and Shooto Treasure Hunt 6 against Stephen Palling by TKO.
Yamamoto is a top level kick boxer with a stand out record of 1 win, 1 by TKO, o decision and 2 losses and he is also working towards participating in the 2007 Emperor’s Cup. He is well- known for his freestyle wrestling, folk style wrestling and kick boxing and is also a true example of versatility, someone who sets his skills apart, and stands out as an outstanding mixed martial arts fighter.
One of the most talked about match of Norifumi Yamamoto was against Genki Sudo, 5th august Hero’s tournament, where Genki Sudo was enforced to withdraw the match due a chronic neck injury.
Yamamoto has lately announced an imprecise leave from MMA to achieve his life’s dream and went for his training to compete in freestyle wrestling for the 2008 Olympics.
Norifumi Yamamoto- “The Kid” of the next generation.
By Sherdog.com Staff
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