Kid Yamamoto and Michihiro Omigawa sign with UFC

[jacktheknife]

Kinda dope. Guess they're throwing all they've got into the new featherweights.

Best part is that Japan still makes stars even though their training infrastructure has fallen way off, which probably means that Japanese names making the move to the big leagues equals overrated lines.

[Vaughany]

Yeah Omigawa is gonna get steamrolled by Chad Mendes!

[Eccocide]

Now I hope they can follow up with Kanehara!!

[Eccocide]

Kid is expected to face Demetrious Johnson at UFC 126.

[Vaughany]

Kid is expected to face Demetrious Johnson at UFC 126.

Awesome match-up

[brooks85]

I hope they do a shit load of zoom ins on the kid's yakuza looking wife like they did in his K1 events

[shady610]

its always nice to see japanese talent make the big time. Even if i am not familiar with them too much

[socalaaron]

It seems like the major Japanese fighters are seeing the writing on the wall as it pertains to the downfall of the Japanese promotions. I doubt that FEG will run that many MMA shows next year. We shall see.

[Eccocide]

FEG is done and with the Merger of the UFC/WEC, the lighter weight divisions are going to get paid which means they will be willing to come over to the US to fight.

Im really excited to see Kid at 135lb. He was a beast at 145lb but 135lb is much more suited for him, especially when he faces the american wrestlers. He has solid wrestling in his own right, but he was definitely undersized at 145/155.

[Hammew]

Japanese fighters don't seem to have much success in the US, is it because of the drug testing in America compared to no testing in Japan?

[Eccocide]

Japanese fighters don't seem to have much success in the US, is it because of the drug testing in America compared to no testing in Japan?

No. Its many factors. For starters, fighting in a ring is totally different than fighting in a cage. It takes a while for them to adjust to the angles. Tied into the cage is the fact that wrestling is not something that is heavily trained in Japan. When they come over here, they are usually dealing with fighters whose base is in wrestling. The cage is a beneficial environment for wrestling, so these 2 factors together usually work against them. Finally, over in Asia there is little to no weight cutting. Fighters usually fight somewhere around their natural weight. When they come over here, they end up fighting guys who are much larger than them come fight time. The size advantage coupled with the wrestling and cage makes it difficult for them to compete. The good thing about Kid is that he actually has pretty solid wrestling and he is dropping down in weight to 135lb. So it looks like he will be more prepared than the typical Japanese fighter. I wish he would have came about 2 years ago but its better than never.

[36mafia]

Japanese fighters don't seem to have much success in the US, is it because of the drug testing in America compared to no testing in Japan?

hate to say it, but fading asian/japanese fighters has been a profitable trend

[Vaughany]

Ye Yamamoto was 2 time Arizona state champion I believe, his wrestling is legit and has KO power, he should make the transition better than others.