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A wave of sadness ran over the mixed martial arts community late Monday night as news spread of the death of Japanese legend Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, the sport’s first real lighter-weight superstar, died of cancer at age 41. One of the sport’s all-time most popular personalities and tenacious competitors was remembered with fondness as social media tributes poured in from around the world.
RIP.... Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto pic.twitter.com/K8OJblm0ip
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 18, 2018
Damn.....#RIP Kid https://t.co/6fUfQu5pNe
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 18, 2018
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
Just heard Kid Yamamoto has passed away. Very sad news. Prayers for the @KB_official family and @MiyuuYamamoto
— CyborgVNunes #UFC232 (@criscyborg) September 18, 2018
Damn. An absolute legend and trailblazer. Terribly sad. Rest easy, Kid Yamamoto https://t.co/EtD5Sj7MAa
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartsmith) September 18, 2018
I will always remember what I learned from our battle my friend. Thank You for being such an amazing opponent and later a friend. RIP Kid. #kidyamamoto #killerbee #japanmma https://t.co/2Gg96QcIcR
— Jeff Curran (@BigFrogBJJ) September 18, 2018
Rest In Peace ~ Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) September 18, 2018
One of my all time favorite fighters. pic.twitter.com/85xaJendmQ
お悔やみ申し上げます.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) September 18, 2018
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?
RIP https://t.co/btaOxtFJb9
RIP... pic.twitter.com/1egsjCcfZH
— Enson Inoue (@ensoninoue) September 18, 2018
The world lost a true warrior today - Rest In Peace “Kid” Yamamoto.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 18, 2018
This is such somber news. RIP Kid Yamamoto. I hope you went peacefully. I loved watching you fight, especially as I was getting my start in MMA https://t.co/WzEbcGZc17
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) September 18, 2018
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