Fight fans will soon see knockout artist Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto back in the ring, as he has reportedly abandoned his hopes of wrestling in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to concentrate on his career in mixed martial arts. Yamamoto (16-1) will compete for both K-1 and the new World Victory Road organization.
Yamamoto made the formal announcement Oct. 31 that he would not participate in the All-Japan Wrestling Championships Dec. 21-23 but would instead focus on MMA.
Yamamoto made his return to MMA at K-1 HERO'S “Tournament Final” in September, as he defeated Bibiano Fernandes by unanimous decision following a nearly year-long absence from the sport. That same month, Kenichi Yumoto – the man who was to represent Japan in Yamamoto’s 60-kilogram weight division at the 2008 Olympics – lost a qualifier match, which presented Yamamoto with another opportunity to qualify for the Beijing Games.
It is believed the Fight Entertainment Group made Yamamoto an offer he could not refuse to participate in the upcoming K-1 “DYNAMITE 2007” event. Though no announcement was made, Daily Sports reported Nov. 1 that the details appear finalized for the 30-year-old to compete in the Monday, Dec. 31 show at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka.
Yamamoto also announced his participation in the new WVR organization, which will open for business next March. With WVR having strong connections to the Japan Wrestling Association, the same promotion with which Yamamoto wrestled, his participation in its events seemed natural to all parties involved.
“Yamamoto is participating in battle in K-1, so we are working in cooperation with them,” said Tomiaki Fukuda, sanctioning body president for the WVR. He then hinted that WVR has been planning a huge match for Yamamoto next year.
Yamamoto will enter his next MMA match on a 13-fight winning streak. Thirteen of his 16 career wins have come by stoppage, 11 of them by KO or TKO.
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AKIYAMA’S VICTORY SEALS SPOT IN ‘DYNAMITE 2007’
Following his successful showing at K-1 HERO’S “OLYMPIA HERO’S 2007” on Oct. 28, FEG has requested Yoshihiro Akiyama compete in its K-1 “Dynamite 2007” on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Longtime rival Makoto Takimoto (3-3) has been suggested as a likely opponent.
Takimoto was Akiyama’s rival in the Judo world, as the two vied to represent Japan in major international competition. He won Olympic gold in Judo at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. His last MMA victory came over Zelg Galesic (7-3) in April, as he submitted the European with a Kimura at PRIDE 34 “Kamikaze.”
Akiyama (10-1), meanwhile, stunned the MMA world with his first-round knockout victory over Denis Kang on Oct. 28 in Seoul, South Korea. A strong right uppercut spelled the end for Kang (27-9-1), whom many consider the top middleweight striker in K-1. Kang had not been knocked out in a fight in more than six years. The victory raised Akiyama’s stock considerably.
FEG President Sadaharu Tanigawa’s pre-fight comments regarding Akiyama were far from flattering. “He has no aura,” he said. “I looked at his physique when he was weighing in, and I just have nothing to say.” After Akiyama knocked out Kang, Tanigawa’s tune changed, as he expressed satisfaction with his performance and offered him a match in the New Year’s Eve show.
Yamamoto made the formal announcement Oct. 31 that he would not participate in the All-Japan Wrestling Championships Dec. 21-23 but would instead focus on MMA.
Yamamoto made his return to MMA at K-1 HERO'S “Tournament Final” in September, as he defeated Bibiano Fernandes by unanimous decision following a nearly year-long absence from the sport. That same month, Kenichi Yumoto – the man who was to represent Japan in Yamamoto’s 60-kilogram weight division at the 2008 Olympics – lost a qualifier match, which presented Yamamoto with another opportunity to qualify for the Beijing Games.
It is believed the Fight Entertainment Group made Yamamoto an offer he could not refuse to participate in the upcoming K-1 “DYNAMITE 2007” event. Though no announcement was made, Daily Sports reported Nov. 1 that the details appear finalized for the 30-year-old to compete in the Monday, Dec. 31 show at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka.
Yamamoto also announced his participation in the new WVR organization, which will open for business next March. With WVR having strong connections to the Japan Wrestling Association, the same promotion with which Yamamoto wrestled, his participation in its events seemed natural to all parties involved.
“Yamamoto is participating in battle in K-1, so we are working in cooperation with them,” said Tomiaki Fukuda, sanctioning body president for the WVR. He then hinted that WVR has been planning a huge match for Yamamoto next year.
Yamamoto will enter his next MMA match on a 13-fight winning streak. Thirteen of his 16 career wins have come by stoppage, 11 of them by KO or TKO.
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AKIYAMA’S VICTORY SEALS SPOT IN ‘DYNAMITE 2007’
Following his successful showing at K-1 HERO’S “OLYMPIA HERO’S 2007” on Oct. 28, FEG has requested Yoshihiro Akiyama compete in its K-1 “Dynamite 2007” on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Longtime rival Makoto Takimoto (3-3) has been suggested as a likely opponent.
Takimoto was Akiyama’s rival in the Judo world, as the two vied to represent Japan in major international competition. He won Olympic gold in Judo at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. His last MMA victory came over Zelg Galesic (7-3) in April, as he submitted the European with a Kimura at PRIDE 34 “Kamikaze.”
Akiyama (10-1), meanwhile, stunned the MMA world with his first-round knockout victory over Denis Kang on Oct. 28 in Seoul, South Korea. A strong right uppercut spelled the end for Kang (27-9-1), whom many consider the top middleweight striker in K-1. Kang had not been knocked out in a fight in more than six years. The victory raised Akiyama’s stock considerably.
FEG President Sadaharu Tanigawa’s pre-fight comments regarding Akiyama were far from flattering. “He has no aura,” he said. “I looked at his physique when he was weighing in, and I just have nothing to say.” After Akiyama knocked out Kang, Tanigawa’s tune changed, as he expressed satisfaction with his performance and offered him a match in the New Year’s Eve show.