(Darren Uyenoyama mocks Yamamoto after giving him the worst wet willy in MMA History at UFC on FOX 1.)
One of the more notorious UFC busts in recent memory, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto has yet to taste victory in three UFC bouts, dropping decisions to Demetrious Johnson (fair enough) and Darren Uyenoyama (understandable) before getting submitted by Vaughan Lee (COME ON!) in the first round of their UFC 144 scrap last February. Since then, we haven’t heard much from the former K1 star and could only assume that he was diligently working on his kata with headmaster Michael “Lightning Bolt!” Dealy.
His back now firmly planted against the wall, Yamamoto will be given one of his toughest tests to date in what is surely his do-or-die fight with the UFC. “Kid” will face Ivan Menjivar at UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson. TVA Sports was the first to announce the booking yesterday:
On the heels of a first round submission via rear-naked choke loss to Urijah Faber at UFC 157 (his second loss in his past three fights), it’s safe to say that this could be a must win for “The Pride of El Salvador” as well. Although his UFC record currently stands at a respectable 4-3, you have to imagine that dropping a second straight contest to a winless (as far as the UFC is concerned) fighter like Yamamoto would spell disaster for the WEC veteran.
Who do you like for this bantamweight sure-to-be-slugfest, Nation?