Norifumi Yamamoto MMA Profile Record, Stats, Biography, UFC Career & Fight History
Photo Credit: Zuffa LLC/UFC
NORIFUMI YAMAMOTO
“Kid”
JAPAN • BANTAMWEIGHT
W-L-D
18-6-0 (2 NC)
(T)KO
13-1
SUB
2-1
BIOGRAPHY
COUNTRY
Japan
WT CLASS
Bantamweight
HT / WT
5′ 4″, 135 lbs
BIRTHDATE
03/15/1977 (Aged 41)
STANCE
Southpaw
REACH
66.0″ (168cm)
TEAM / RESIDENCE
Krazy Bee • Tokyo, Japan
NICKNAME
“Kid”
RESOURCE LINKS
CAREER HONOURS & HISTORICAL RECORDS
Norifumi Yamamoto Record
WINS18
KO/TKO
13
SUB
2
DECISION
3
LOSSES6
KO/TKO
1
SUB
1
DECISION
4
DRAWS0
DR
0
NO CONTEST2
NC
2
Percentage Statistics
Calculated from 26 professional bouts (18-6-0, 2 NC).
RESULT
FIGHTER
EVENT
METHOD
DURATION/DATE
NC
Roman Salazar
United States
United States
UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano
Feb / 28 / 2015
No Contest
Rnd 2 (2:37)
Feb / 28 / 2015
ROUND2
TIME2:37
METHODNo Contest
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 UFC 184 Preliminary Feature • Yamamoto vs. Salazar
Prelim Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Roman Salazar
Fight Location Los Angeles, California, United States (Staples Center)
Los Angeles, California, United States (Staples Center)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup136 lbs vs 135 lbs
Roman Salazar Record at Bout (Opponent)9-3-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout18-6-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -145 (Favorite)
vs
Roman Salazar: +125 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: John McCarthy
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Returning to action after a three-year hiatus, Yamamoto looked sharp early on the feet before an accidental eye poke in the second round rendered Salazar unable to see out of his right eye, forcing referee John McCarthy to stop the contest at 2:37 and rule it a No Contest.
LOSS
Vaughan Lee
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Feb / 25 / 2012
Submission
Rnd 1 (4:29)
Feb / 25 / 2012
ROUND1
TIME4:29
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 UFC 144 Main Card Feature • Yamamoto vs. Lee
Main Card
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Vaughan Lee
Fight Location Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)
Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup136 lbs vs 135 lbs
Vaughan Lee Record at Bout (Opponent)11-7-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout18-5-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -290 (Favorite)
vs
Vaughan Lee: +260 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: Herb Dean
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Fighting in his home nation of Japan, Yamamoto hurt Lee with blistering left hands early, but Lee weathered the storm, stunned Yamamoto with a counter right hook, and seamlessly locked in a triangle-armbar sequence to extract the tap at 4:29 of the opening round.
LOSS
Darren Uyenoyama
United States
United States
UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos
Nov / 12 / 2011
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Nov / 12 / 2011
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 UFC on FOX 1 Prelim Feature • Yamamoto vs. Uyenoyama
Preliminary Card
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Darren Uyenoyama
Fight Location Anaheim, California, United States (Honda Center)
Anaheim, California, United States (Honda Center)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup135 lbs vs 136 lbs
Darren Uyenoyama Record at Bout (Opponent)6-3-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout18-4-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -390 (Favorite)
vs
Darren Uyenoyama: +348 (Underdog)
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Larry Landless
Mike Bell: 27-30
Derek Cleary: 26-30
Lester Griffin: 27-30
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Uyenoyama executed an effective grappling game plan, taking Yamamoto to the ground across all three rounds and controlling top position to claim a unanimous decision sweep on the judges’ scorecards.
LOSS
Demetrious Johnson
United States
United States
UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
Feb / 05 / 2011
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Feb / 05 / 2011
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Octagon Debut • Yamamoto vs. Johnson
UFC Debut
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Demetrious Johnson
Fight Location Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (Mandalay Bay Events Center)
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States (Mandalay Bay Events Center)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup135 lbs vs 136 lbs
Demetrious Johnson Record at Bout (Opponent)12-1-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout18-3-0 (1 NC)
Est. Fighter Purse$15,000 USD
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -115 (Favorite)
vs
Demetrious Johnson: -105 (Underdog)
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Mario Yamasaki
Doug Crosby: 28-29
Abe Belardo: 27-30
Junichiro Kamijo: 27-30
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In his long-awaited UFC debut, Yamamoto struggled to contain the blistering speed and relentless wrestling of future pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson, who scored five takedowns and dominated the positional exchanges to win a unanimous decision.
WIN
Federico Lopez
United States
United States
Dream 14
May / 29 / 2010
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (1:41)
May / 29 / 2010
ROUND1
TIME1:41
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 DREAM 14 Feature Bout • Yamamoto vs. Lopez
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Federico Lopez
Fight Location Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)
Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup135 lbs vs 135 lbs
Federico Lopez Record at Bout (Opponent)5-2-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout17-3-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -1370 (Favorite)
vs
Federico Lopez: +750 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: Kenichi Serizawa
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto snapped a two-fight losing skid in explosive fashion, cornering Lopez against the ropes with precise southpaw strikes before dropping him with a crushing right hook and finishing with ground strikes at 1:41 of round one.
LOSS
Masanori Kanehara
Japan
Japan
K-1: Dynamite!! Power of Courage 2009
Dec / 31 / 2009
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Dec / 31 / 2009
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 DREAM vs. Sengoku Showcase • Yamamoto vs. Kanehara
Featured Superfight
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Masanori Kanehara
Fight Location Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)
Saitama, Japan (Saitama Super Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup143 lbs vs 143 lbs
Masanori Kanehara Record at Bout (Opponent)15-7-5
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout17-2-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -450 (Favorite)
vs
Masanori Kanehara: +330 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: Yuji Shimada
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In a heated promotional rivalry match on New Year’s Eve, reigning Sengoku featherweight champion Kanehara dropped Yamamoto with a sharp straight right hand in the first round, out-striking and controlling position through 15 minutes to earn the decision victory.
LOSS
Joe Warren
United States
United States
Dream 9: Featherweight Grand Prix 2009 Second Rd
May / 26 / 2009
Decision – Split
Rnd 2 (5:00)
May / 26 / 2009
ROUND2
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Split
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 DREAM Featherweight GP Quarterfinal • Yamamoto vs. Warren
Tournament Quarterfinal
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Joe Warren
Fight Location Yokohama, Japan (Yokohama Arena)
Yokohama, Japan (Yokohama Arena)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup139 lbs vs 139 lbs
Joe Warren Record at Bout (Opponent)1-0-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout17-1-0 (1 NC)
💰 Pre-Fight Betting Odds
Norifumi Yamamoto: -550 (Favorite)
vs
Joe Warren: +400 (Underdog)
Officials
Ref: Yuji Shimada
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Greco-Roman world champion Joe Warren utilized relentless forward pressure, heavy clinching against the ropes, and takedowns to nullify Yamamoto’s explosive striking and edge out a razor-thin split decision after two rounds.
WIN
Rani Yahya
Brazil
Brazil
K-1: Premium 2007 Dynamite!!
Dec / 31 / 2007
KO/TKO
Rnd 2 (3:11)
Dec / 31 / 2007
ROUND2
TIME3:11
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 New Year’s Eve Feature • Yamamoto vs. Yahya
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Rani Yahya
Fight Location Osaka, Japan (Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Osaka, Japan (Kyocera Dome Osaka)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup139 lbs vs 139 lbs
Rani Yahya Record at Bout (Opponent)12-3-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout16-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Minoru Toyonaga
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto defended Yahya’s submission attempts, rocked the Brazilian with punch combinations, and unleashed ferocious soccer kicks and punches on the ground to force the referee stoppage at 3:11 of the second round.
WIN
Bibiano Fernandes
Brazil
Brazil
K-1: HERO’s Tournament Final
Sep / 17 / 2007
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
Sep / 17 / 2007
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 HERO’s Grand Prix Feature • Yamamoto vs. Fernandes
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Bibiano Fernandes
Fight Location Yokohama, Japan (Yokohama Arena)
Yokohama, Japan (Yokohama Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup139 lbs vs 139 lbs
Bibiano Fernandes Record at Bout (Opponent)1-1-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout15-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In a technical battle against future multi-time world champion Bibiano Fernandes, Yamamoto stuffed every takedown attempt and picked Fernandes apart with crisp southpaw boxing to take a unanimous decision.
WIN
Istvan Majoros
Hungary
Hungary
K-1 Dynamite!! 2006
Dec / 31 / 2006
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (3:46)
Dec / 31 / 2006
ROUND1
TIME3:46
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 New Year’s Eve Feature • Yamamoto vs. Majoros
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Istvan Majoros
Fight Location Osaka, Japan (Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Osaka, Japan (Kyocera Dome Osaka)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup143 lbs vs 143 lbs
Istvan Majoros Record at Bout (Opponent)0-0-0 (Debut)
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout14-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Facing 2004 Olympic Greco-Roman gold medalist Majoros, Yamamoto neutralized the clinch exchanges, dropped Majoros with a knee to the body, and unloaded punches to stop the Olympian at 3:46 of round one.
WIN
Kazuyuki Miyata
Japan
Japan
K-1: Hero’s 5
May / 03 / 2006
KO (Knee)
Rnd 1 (0:04)
May / 03 / 2006
ROUND1
TIME0:04
METHODKO (Knee)
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 HERO’s 5 Feature Bout • Yamamoto vs. Miyata
All-Time Fastest KO
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Kazuyuki Miyata
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Kazuyuki Miyata Record at Bout (Opponent)3-2-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout13-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Akira Okabayashi
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In one of the most famous moments in mixed martial arts history, Yamamoto charged across the ring at the opening bell and launched a flying knee that landed flush on Miyata’s chin, knocking him out cold in just four seconds.
WIN
Genki Sudo
Japan
Japan
K-1: Premium 2005 Dynamite!!
Dec / 31 / 2005
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (4:39)
Dec / 31 / 2005
ROUND1
TIME4:39
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
K-1 HERO’s 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Championship • Yamamoto vs. Sudo
Captured Grand Prix Championship
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Genki Sudo
Fight Location Osaka, Japan (Osaka Dome)
Osaka, Japan (Osaka Dome)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Genki Sudo Record at Bout (Opponent)14-3-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout12-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In the HERO’s 2005 tournament final, Yamamoto dropped Sudo with an explosive right hook and followed with ground strikes to capture the Middleweight Grand Prix Championship in front of 53,000 fans.
WIN
Caol Uno
Japan
Japan
K-1: Hero’s 3
Sep / 07 / 2005
KO/TKO (Cut)
Rnd 2 (4:04)
Sep / 07 / 2005
ROUND2
TIME4:04
METHODKO/TKO (Cut)
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 HERO’s 2005 GP Semifinal • Yamamoto vs. Uno
Tournament Semifinal
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Caol Uno
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Ariake Colosseum)
Tokyo, Japan (Ariake Colosseum)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Caol Uno Record at Bout (Opponent)19-7-4
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout11-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In his second fight of the evening, Yamamoto took the fight to former UFC title challenger Uno, opening a severe cut with knees in the clinch that led to a doctor stoppage at 4:04 of round two.
WIN
Royler Gracie
Brazil
Brazil
K-1: Hero’s 3
Sep / 07 / 2005
KO
Rnd 2 (0:38)
Sep / 07 / 2005
ROUND2
TIME0:38
METHODKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 HERO’s 2005 GP Quarterfinal • Yamamoto vs. Gracie
Tournament Quarterfinal
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Royler Gracie
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Ariake Colosseum)
Tokyo, Japan (Ariake Colosseum)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Royler Gracie Record at Bout (Opponent)5-3-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout10-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Akira Okabayashi
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto stuffed all grappling attempts from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu icon Royler Gracie before scoring a clean one-punch knockout with a counter right hook 38 seconds into round two.
WIN
Ian James Schaffa
Australia
Australia
K-1: Hero’s 2
Jul / 06 / 2005
KO/TKO
Rnd 3 (1:23)
Jul / 06 / 2005
ROUND3
TIME1:23
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 HERO’s 2 Main Event • Yamamoto vs. Schaffa
Main Event
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Ian James Schaffa
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Ian James Schaffa Record at Bout (Opponent)7-8-2
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout9-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto battered Australian kickboxer Schaffa with heavy leg kicks and combinations before trapping him against the ropes with punches in round three to force the referee’s intervention at 1:23.
WIN
Narantungalag Jadamba
Mongolia
Mongolia
K-1 – World Max 2004
Oct / 13 / 2004
KO (Punch)
Rnd 1 (1:55)
Oct / 13 / 2004
ROUND1
TIME1:55
METHODKO (Punch)
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 K-1 World MAX Feature • Yamamoto vs. Jadamba
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Jadamba Narantungalag
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Jadamba Narantungalag Record at Bout (Opponent)0-0-0 (Debut)
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout8-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Naoyuki Taira
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto collided with future ONE Championship world champion Jadamba and delivered a vicious right hook that knocked the Mongolian fighter unconscious at 1:55 of round one.
WIN
Kazuya Yasuhiro
Japan
Japan
K-1 MAX – World Grand Prix 2004 Final
Jul / 07 / 2004
Submission
Rnd 2 (2:40)
Jul / 07 / 2004
ROUND2
TIME2:40
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 K-1 MAX 2004 Feature • Yamamoto vs. Yasuhiro
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Kazuya Yasuhiro
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Kazuya Yasuhiro Record at Bout (Opponent)0-0-0 (Debut)
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout7-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto took Yasuhiro to the canvas with ease, controlled from top position, and locked in an armbar from mount to force the submission tap at 2:40 of round two.
WIN
Tony Valente
United States
United States
K-1 MAX – World Grand Prix 2004 Opening Round
Apr / 07 / 2004
Submission
Rnd 1 (0:58)
Apr / 07 / 2004
ROUND1
TIME0:58
METHODSubmission
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 K-1 MAX Debut • Yamamoto vs. Valente
Opening Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Tony Valente
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)
Tokyo, Japan (Yoyogi National Gymnasium)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup154 lbs vs 154 lbs
Tony Valente Record at Bout (Opponent)2-3-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout6-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Yoshinori Umeki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto tackled Valente to the canvas seconds after the opening bell, took his back, and cinched in a tight rear-naked choke to secure the submission in just 58 seconds.
WIN
Caleb Mitchell
United States
United States
Shooto – 9/5 in Korakuen Hall
Sep / 05 / 2003
KO
Rnd 1 (0:40)
Sep / 05 / 2003
ROUND1
TIME0:40
METHODKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shooto Featherweight Bout • Yamamoto vs. Mitchell
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Caleb Mitchell
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)
Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup132 lbs vs 132 lbs
Caleb Mitchell Record at Bout (Opponent)4-2-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout5-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto overwhelmed Mitchell with blistering combinations at the bell, landing clean left-right hooks to knock the American out cold in 40 seconds.
WIN
Jeff Curran
United States
United States
SB 29: SuperBrawl 29
May / 09 / 2003
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 3 (5:00)
May / 09 / 2003
ROUND3
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 SuperBrawl 29 Main Event • Yamamoto vs. Curran
Main Event
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Jeff Curran
Fight Location Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Neal S. Blaisdell Center)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Neal S. Blaisdell Center)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup135 lbs vs 135 lbs
Jeff Curran Record at Bout (Opponent)16-4-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout4-1-0 (1 NC)
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Traveling to Hawaii for a pivotal bantamweight showcase, Yamamoto out-grappled and out-struck American standout Jeff Curran across three fast-paced rounds to earn a clear unanimous decision victory.
WIN
Tetsuo Katsuta
Japan
Japan
Shoot: Treasure Hunt 10
Sep / 16 / 2002
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (2:45)
Sep / 16 / 2002
ROUND1
TIME2:45
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shooto Treasure Hunt 10 • Yamamoto vs. Katsuta
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Tetsuo Katsuta
Fight Location Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium)
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup132 lbs vs 132 lbs
Tetsuo Katsuta Record at Bout (Opponent)6-4-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout3-1-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto swarmed Katsuta with aggressive punches against the ropes, landing unanswered strikes until referee Toshiharu Suzuki intervened to call the TKO at 2:45 of round one.
LOSS
Stephen Palling
United States
United States
Shooto – Treasure Hunt 6
May / 05 / 2002
KO/TKO (Cut)
Rnd 1 (0:30)
May / 05 / 2002
ROUND1
TIME0:30
METHODKO/TKO (Cut)
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shooto Main Event • Yamamoto vs. Palling
Main Event
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Stephen Palling
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)
Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup132 lbs vs 132 lbs
Stephen Palling Record at Bout (Opponent)7-4-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout3-0-0 (1 NC)
Officials
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
As Yamamoto shot in aggressively for a double-leg takedown, Palling timed a counter knee that opened a deep laceration on Yamamoto’s face. Although Yamamoto completed the slam, the cageside physician halted the fight due to the cut just 30 seconds into round one.
NC
Josh Thomson
United States
United States
Shogun 1: Shogun 1
Dec / 15 / 2001
No Contest
Rnd 2 (2:00)
Dec / 15 / 2001
ROUND2
TIME2:00
METHODNo Contest
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shogun 1 Feature • Yamamoto vs. Thomson
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Josh Thomson
Fight Location Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Neal S. Blaisdell Arena)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States (Neal S. Blaisdell Arena)Duration3 x 5 min
Weights Matchup155 lbs vs 155 lbs
Josh Thomson Record at Bout (Opponent)2-0-0
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout3-0-0
Officials
Ref: Mike Stock
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto controlled future Strikeforce world champion Thomson with takedowns and ground strikes through round one, but an accidental low blow in the second round rendered Yamamoto unable to continue, resulting in an official No Contest.
WIN
Hideki Kadowaki
Japan
Japan
Shooto – To The Top 8
Sep / 02 / 2001
KO/TKO
Rnd 1 (4:02)
Sep / 02 / 2001
ROUND1
TIME4:02
METHODKO/TKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shooto Main Card • Yamamoto vs. Kadowaki
Main Card Feature
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Hideki Kadowaki
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)
Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup143 lbs vs 143 lbs
Hideki Kadowaki Record at Bout (Opponent)2-0-1
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout2-0-0
Officials
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Yamamoto overwhelmed grappling standout Kadowaki with explosive striking exchanges on the feet, landing heavy punches to secure a dominant first-round stoppage at 4:02.
WIN
Masashi Kameda
Japan
Japan
Shooto – To The Top 6
Jul / 06 / 2001
KO
Rnd 1 (4:17)
Jul / 06 / 2001
ROUND1
TIME4:17
METHODKO
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Shooto Featherweight Bout • Yamamoto vs. Kameda
Featured Bout
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Masashi Kameda
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)
Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup143 lbs vs 143 lbs
Masashi Kameda Record at Bout (Opponent)2-1-2
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout1-0-0
Officials
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
In his sophomore professional outing, Yamamoto demonstrated his one-punch finishing power, landing a clean southpaw left punch to knock out Kameda at 4:17 of round one.
WIN
Masato Shiozawa
Japan
Japan
Shooto: To The Top 2
Mar / 02 / 2001
Decision – Unanimous
Rnd 2 (5:00)
Mar / 02 / 2001
ROUND2
TIME5:00
METHODDecision – Unanimous
Bout Specifications & Fight Financials
View Dossier
🥊 Professional Debut • Yamamoto vs. Shiozawa
Pro Debut
Fighter MatchupNorifumi Yamamoto vs Masato Shiozawa
Fight Location Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)
Tokyo, Japan (Korakuen Hall)Duration2 x 5 min
Weights Matchup143 lbs vs 143 lbs
Masato Shiozawa Record at Bout (Opponent)0-0-0 (Debut)
Norifumi Yamamoto Record at Bout0-0-0 (Debut)
Officials & Scorecards
Ref: Toshiharu Suzuki
Tadashi Yokoyama: 20-18
Masato Kataoka: 20-18
Yoshinori Umeki: 20-19
🥊 Action & Knockdowns:
Decorated wrestling standout “Kid” Yamamoto made his professional mixed martial arts debut in Shooto, taking Shiozawa down repeatedly and controlling the pace from top position to take a unanimous decision sweep.
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