Even when he's away from the ring, Norifumi Yamamoto (Pictures) can't quite keep out of the headlines.

The International Shooto Commission announced today that they have cancelled the issue of non-recognition on the Shooto license of “Kid” Yamamoto. The Japanese star’s non-recognition status stemmed from an incident which took place after Shooto's event on February 17 at Yoyogi Second National Gymnasium. While Dr. Kenji Nakayama tended to a cut sustained by Yamamoto's KILLER BEE teammate Akira Kikuchi (Pictures), Yamamoto kicked the physician from behind, while shouting epithets at him.

As a result of the incident, Yamamoto and all fighters out of KILLER BEE were suspended from both amateur and professional Shooto competition, and Yamamoto's Shooto license was declared non-recognized on March 6, preventing him from competing as a fighter, serving as a chief second or cornerman, acting as a manager, or promoting an event under Shooto sanctioning.

On July 29, The Japanese Shooto Association, led by chairman Naoki Sakurada and chief executive Taro Wakabayashi, announced that after serving a term of 170 days the competition suspension on KILLER BEE would be lifted on August 6.

The lifting of this suspension gave amateur and professional competitors from KILLER BEE the ability to once again compete in Shooto, however the JSA was clear that it had not changed the status of “Kid.” The JSA noted that while Yamamoto had apologized to Dr. Nakayama publicly, he had not apologized to the International Shooto Commission, and as a result, was still under non-recognition.

Today, the ISC revealed that on Thursday, Yamamoto came in person to the International Shooto Commission head office in Akasaka, Tokyo, and called upon ISC secretary Toshiharu Suzuki, chairman Naoki Sakurada and commissioner Noboru Urata. Yamamoto then made a personal, formal apology to the ISC, and in the opinion of the commission, expressed both proper reflection and regret for his actions in February. As a result, the ISC has chosen to rescind the non-recognition issue on Yamamoto's license.

The commission stated that it was important for them to be able to reach this outcome with Yamamoto due to his position in the Japanese MMA community. The ISC noted that as the de facto leader of KILLER BEE, the training partner of top talents such as Akira Kikuchi (Pictures) and Koutetsu Boku (Pictures), and a trainer of strong young amateur talent, that it was best Yamamoto have the ability to be serve as a trainer, cornerman and manager under Shooto sanctioning.

Despite the cancellation, the ISC at this time has not altered its stance that Yamamoto should not be able to compete in Shooto-sanctioned events, though they have stated they are considering the possibility. However, this detail is a minor consequence as not only is Yamamoto currently concentrating on his pursuit of an Olympic wrestling bid for the 2008 Beijing Games, but “Kid” has claimed the ring of HERO'S as his own in recent years anyhow.

What the cancellation does mean, however, is that Yamamoto will be able to attend Saturday's Shooto card at the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Center, where he is expected to act as a cornerman for Kikuchi in his bout with Hawaii's Ronald Jhun (Pictures).