An untimely injury has forced Japanese superstar Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto out of his upcoming bantamweight bout against Chris “Kamikaze” Cariaso. In Yamamoto’s place, former Tachi Palace Fights champ Michael “Mayday” McDonald will step in to face Cariaso at UFC 130 on May 28th.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship confirmed Yamamoto’s withdrawal from the event today, though details of his injury were not disclosed. McDonald and Cariaso have verbally agreed to square off on the May card, and both will be looking for their second straight victory inside the Octagon.
DEEP Lightweight Champion Katsunori Kikuno will battle armbar specialist Daisuke Nakamura at DREAM: “Fight For Japan” on May 29th in Saitama, Japan. The non-title matchup is the seventh confirmed fight for the event, which will also kick off the DREAM Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix.
The UFC Light Heavyweight Championship grudge match between former teammates Jon “Bones” Jones and “Suga” Rashad Evans will have to wait. Jones has withdrawn from the planned UFC 133 matchup due to a hand injury. The Canadian Press was first to report on the cancellation.
A pair of non-tournament featherweight bouts have been added to DREAM: “Fight For Japan” on May 29th in Saitama. Former Lightweight Champion Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen takes on “The Endless Fighter” Mitsuhiro Ishida, while UFC veteran Caol “Uno Shoten” Uno faces “Wicky” Akiyo Nishiura.
Rising prospect Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff picked up her biggest win to date tonight at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 41 in North London, England. The former 145-pound competitor needed less than two minutes to stop Aisling “Ais The Bash” Daly in a 125-pound women’s co-main event.
A bout between Jewels postergirl Mika “Future Princess” Nagano and Emi Murata has been rescheduled for Jewels: “14th Ring” on May 14th in Tokyo, Japan. The fight was first set to take place at “12th Ring” on March 11th, but the event was cancelled after a massive earthquake off of Japan’s coast.
Three additional matchups have been announced for Jewels: “13th Ring” on May 14th in Tokyo, Japan. The all-female event, which will serve as the first half of an all-day Jewels doubleheader, will feature a “Jewels vs Valkyrie” Special Rules bout between Mongolia’s Esui and Japan’s Chisa Yonezawa.
One day after announcing his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, former Strikeforce title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Miller has an opponent for UFC 132 on July 2nd. The charismatic Miller will face Aaron “A-Train” Simpson in a featured middleweight bout on the Las Vegas card.