The MMA world was hit with the shocking news that Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto passed away today at the age of 41. He announced that he was battling cancer less than a month ago and today we all heard the news.
Many fighters took to social media today to praise Kid for being one of the reasons that many of them are actually in the sport. His celebrity had an enormous impact on the lighter weight fighters who were coming up, as well as fans around the world. In Japan, he was a mega-rockstar to the people.
It’s a sad day for MMA fans who have followed Kid’s career since the beginning.
RIP Kid Yamamoto
Rip ?? grew up watching this guy. Thanks for all the entertainment always fun to watch ?? https://t.co/oEzmEeqbFc
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) September 18, 2018
RIP…. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto ? pic.twitter.com/K8OJblm0ip
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 18, 2018
お悔やみ申し上げます.
何ていったらいいか …
さようなら私の友人。
I am glad to have known you Nori. Until the next fight, OK?
— ??? ????????? (@JoshLBarnett) September 18, 2018