Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto is coming to the UFC and MMAWeekly.com has confirmed his first fight. The Japanese superstar will meet Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in a bantamweight fight, likely to take place at UFC 126 on Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas.
Sources close to the negotiations confirmed the bout to MMAWeekly.com on Friday, with at least verbal agreements in place for the February bout.
UFC president Dana White confirmed Yamamoto’s signing on Twitter. The former Dream and K-1 fighter was a powerhouse just a few years ago and was widely considered the top featherweight in the sport before injuries and a run at the Olympics put his fighting career on hold.
While he’s just 1-2 in his last three fights, Yamamoto is still considered one of the most dangerous fighters in his weight class, but he’ll get a “Mighty” big test for his first one in the UFC.
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has proven to be one of the toughest competitors in his short time with the WEC, now transitioning to the UFC. Johnson dropped his first bout in the promotion, but has since gone 2-0. He recently submitted Damacio Page for a big win in November.
Training under legendary coach Matt Hume, Johnson could be poised for a major rise if he can dethrone Yamamoto in his UFC debut in February.
While the fight has not been announced by the UFC at this time, it would seem a lock for Yamamoto vs. Johnson to be a major featured fight on the February card.
