Biography(references)His father Ikuei Yamamoto represented Japan at the 1972 Olympic games in Munich and his sisters Miyuu Yamamoto and Seiko both won world championships in freestyle wrestling. Kid received his education in the United States and wrestled at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, capturing three state championships . During that time he lived and received training from Townsend and Tricia Saunders. At the age of 21, Yamamoto made a transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts despite his father's opinion that MMA is not a real sport. His first trainer in the sport was Enson Inoue, fiancé of Yamamoto's sister at the time.
Fighter Trivia(references)Yamamoto was married to Japanese female fashion model MALIA , with whom he had two sons and a daughter. They divorced in 2009.
Awards & Accolades
K-1 Hero's: Hero's 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Winner
K-1 Hero's: Fastest Recorded Knockout (0:04)
Shooto: All Japan Amateur Shooto Tournament Winner
MMAFighting.com: 2005 Featherweight Fighter of the Year
Japan Wrestling Federation: All-Japan Emperor's Cup Senior Freestyle National Championship 4th Place (2007)
Japan Wrestling Federation: All-Japan Emperor's Cup Senior Freestyle National Championship Runner-up (1999)
Arizona Interscholastic Association: AIA High School State Championship (1995, 1996, 1997)
Arizona Interscholastic Association: AIA High School State Championship 3rd Place (1994)
Arizona Interscholastic Association: Scholastic Career Record: 112-4 (1993-1997)
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