The International Shooto Commission (ISC) has released a statement regarding a backstage altercation after the World Championship fight between Akira Kikuchi and Shinya Aoki in Tokyo last Friday.
The official release states that while the Shooto doctor was tending to Akira Kikuchi, former Shooto world ranker “Kid” Norifumi Yamamoto attacked Kikuchi verbally. Yamamoto had witnessed Kikuchi, his Killer Bee team-mate lose the Shooto Middleweight World Championship to Paraestra jiu-jitsu ace Shinya Aoki.
The statement later explains Kid Yamamoto attacked the doctor but the specifics remain unclear.
The ISC has officially suspended all members of the Killer Bee gym from any official event sanctioned by the ISC, including Professional, Amateur and Grappling competitions.
Also, Kid Yamamoto is suspended indefinitely from attending any Shooto event as a second or spectator. Yamamoto has a history of rash behaviour, and has faced suspension by the ISC in the past. He continued to pummel an unconscious opponent long after the bell had rang and while the referee was trying to pull Yamamoto off his defenceless opponent.
Shooto is requesting an official public apology from all members of Killer Bee team and from Kid Yamamoto.
Mark Pickering – MPPickering@hotmail.com
Source: MaxFighting.com