Ivan Menjivar vs. Norifumi Yamamoto targeted for UFC 165 in Toronto

A bantamweight bout between Ivan Menjivar (25-10 MMA, 4-3 UFC) and Norifumi Yamamoto (18-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) reportedly is slated for UFC 165.

TVA Sports‘ Nancy Audet first reported the bout, the UFC officials haven’t made a formal announcement.

UFC 165 takes place Sept. 21 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The main card airs on pay-per-view and features a light-heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and challenger Alexander Gustafsson.

Menjivar vs. “Kid” likely will be part of prelims, which air on FX and stream on Facebook.

Menjivar, a Salvadoran-Canadian fighter who sets up camp at Tristar Gym, recently was on a solid 4-1 run in the UFC that included submission wins over John Albert and Azamat Gashimov. However, in his most recent bout, the former WEC fighter suffered a submission loss to Urijah Faber at UFC 157. Despite the defeat, the 31-year-old is ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA bantamweight rankings.

Yamamoto, meanwhile, is undoubtedly in a must-win situation. The DREAM vet and former K-1 HERO’S tournament winner is winless since joining the UFC in 2011. The 36-year-old has suffered consecutive losses to Demetrious Johnson, Darren Uyenoyama and Vaughan Lee. The Japanese fighter will return from a 19-month layoff at UFC 165.

The latest UFC 165 card now includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – for light-heavyweight title
• Myles Jury vs. Mike Ricci
• Ivan Menjivar vs. Norifumi Yamamoto*

* – Not officially announced

For the latest on UFC 165, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Ivan Menjivar)