Uyenoyama: Early Success Could Lead to UFC Title Shot

Bantamweight Darren Uyenoyama (Pictured) will lock horns with Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto in his Octagon debut at UFC on Fox 1 “Velasquez vs. Dos Santos” on Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. In a recent interview with Sherdog.com, the 32-year-old Shooto, Dream and Strikeforce veteran, admits he sees opportunity in the still-developing 135-pound division and relishes the chance to fight Yamamoto:

“Demetrious Johnson went from Kid Yamamoto [at UFC 126 in February] to Miguel Torres [at UFC 130 in May] to a title shot [at UFC Live 6 in October]. I’m not in the running for a title yet, but the way the UFC is set up, it won’t be long if I do well. I’m stepping into the major leagues, and this first fight is like the playoffs. I think that it’s awesome and a huge honor. I know he’s coming off of a loss, but, at the same time, winning can still put me into contention with some of the top guys in the sport. No matter what happens after this, Kid is always going to be one of the best featherweights or bantamweights of all time, so I’d be perfectly happy if this was the last fight of my life. Heaven forbid, I want to go a long time, but, well ...”