Kid Yamamoto Set to End Three Year Hiatus, Will Face Roman Salazar at UFC 184

Kid Yamamoto finally has the date for his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

On Wednesday, the UFC revealed the Yamamoto will end his three-year absence from the sport of mixed martial arts when he squares off against fellow bantamweight Roman Salazar at UFC 184 in February.

For fans who have forgotten, Yamamoto (18-6), the 2005 K-1 Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Winner, entered the UFC back in 2011 as one of the most highly touted fighters at 135-pounds outside of the promotion. But after suffering three straight losses to kick off his UFC career, including a unanimous decision to current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, the former Arizona state high school wrestling champion took an extended leave of absence from the sport. He will enter this bout with 15 career stoppage victories, including 13 by way of knockout.

Salazar (9-3) will also be looking to pick up his first career UFC win. In his most recent bout, the Arizona native saw his four-fight win streak snapped in his UFC debut at the hands of the red-hot Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night 54 in October.  He will enter this bout six career stoppage victories, including five in the firs round.

UFC 184 is currently scheduled to take place on Feb. 28 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. A middleweight title fight between champion Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort will serve as headlining act while a women’s bantamweight title fight Ronda Rousey  and Cat Zingano take place in the co-main event.

Here is how the rest of the card is shaping up:

• Chris Weidman (12-0) vs. Vitor Belfort (24-10)
• Ronda Rousey (10-0) vs. Cat Zingano (9-0)
• Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva (18-6-1) vs. Frank Mir (16-9)
• Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (21-3) vs. Yoel Romero (9-1)
• Josh Koscheck (17-8) vs. Neil Magney (13-3)
• Kid Yamamoto (18-6) vs. Romon Salazar (9-3)