Women’s Atomweight
1. Ayaka Hamasaki (14-2)
Before she was Invicta champion and the top atomweight in the world, Hamasaki was a pretty good strawweight and had only ever lost to UFC title challenger Claudia Gadelha. Her return to 115 pounds, however, saw her knocked out by another Brazilian, and this time, it was much nastier. Hamasaki stepped up to strawweight to face former Invicta titleholder Livia Renata Souza on March 25 and got blistered with punches in less than two minutes.2. Jinh Yu Frey (5-2)
Frey’s slated bout with unbeaten Brazilian prospect Janaisa Morandin looked like it could steal the show at Invicta 22. Unfortunately, the highly appealing clash of styles never happened, as Morandin came in five pounds overweight and Frey was unwilling to accept more than a three-and-a-half pound allowance, canceling the contest on weigh-in day.3. Herica Tiburcio (10-4)
When Tiburcio dropped to 105 pounds and upset Michelle Waterson as a +400 underdog to take the Invicta atomweight title, it looked like it might be the Brazilian's division to own. However, back-to-back losses to Ayaka Hamasaki and Jinh Yu Frey quickly changed that line of thinking. After what amounted to a tune-up bout against Simona Soukupova in November, Tiburcio is looking to get back to business against top-10 opposition, signing on to fast-rising Guam native Tessa Simpson at Invicta 23 on May 20.4. Mina Kurobe (10-2)
Going on 40 years old, Kurobe is starting to hit her stride. At Deep Jewels 15 on Feb. 25, she took a unanimous decision over Naho Sugiyama to earn the organization's atomweight title and avenge her November 2015 defeat to “Sugi Rock.” The rep for Kuniyoshi Hironaka's Master Japan gym has now won five in a row, a run that also includes quality wins over Tomo Maesawa and Saori Ishioka.5. Naho Sugiyama (12-5)
Sugiyama topped Emi Tomimatsu in June to become Deep Jewels atomweight champion. Unfortunately, in her first title defense on Feb. 25, she could not replicate her November 2015 win over Mina Kurobe, dropping a unanimous decision and the strap to her fellow 39-year-old.6. Tessa Simpson (5-1)
Simpson made her pro debut as a 22-year-old back in 2009, and after her first loss to Anita Rodriguez, took four years off to focus on finishing her schooling. Since her return, Simpson has gone 3-0 and has looked fantastic in wins over Paulina Granados, Satomi Takano and Simona Soukupova, despite dealing with what seems like a constant stream of injured opponents and canceled bouts. The 30-year-old can take a massive leap to the front of the atomweight line with her next fight, as she faces former 105-pound queen Herica Tiburcio at Invicta 23 on May 20.7. Janaisa Morandin (9-0)
With a perfect 9-0 record and an exciting fight style that has resulted in six stoppages, it seemed like everything was coming together for Morandin when she was lined up to face former Invicta title challenger Jinh Yu Frey on March 25. The 22-year-old Brazilian even received a sponsorship and fight gear from comedian Hannibal Burress. Unfortunately, “The Evil Princess” blew weight by five pounds, nixing the bout.8. Julia Jones (5-0)
Jones in May was scheduled to take on fellow top-10 talent Tessa Simpson at Invicta FC 17. However, the bout -- which would have provided some clarity for the 105-pound division -- was scrapped. Instead, “Jewels” returned in September, dominating Stephanie Skinner and choking her out in the first round to run her pro record to 5-0.9. Ashley Cummins (5-3)
Cummins lost three in a row at 115 pounds in the Invicta cage and then got knocked out by Lanchana Green in the opening round of “The Ultimate Fighter 23.” Undeterred, “Smashley” has bounced back in style. First, she choked out Nicole Smith in a 110-pound bout at Bellator 157 and then made her official drop to 105 pounds at Invicta 22, earning an exciting unanimous decision over former Invicta title challenger Amber Brown.10. Paulina Granados (4-2)
After suffering back-to-back defeats against top-10 entrants Julia Jones and Tessa Simpson, Granados bounced back with a pair of atomweight wins in Combate Americas in 2016, earning decisions over Stephanie Alba in May and Jenna Serio in October. “Firefox” has since taken to calling out fellow Combate Americas signee Kyra Batara in what would be a rock solid 105-pound bout.Other Contenders: Amber Brown, Tomo Maesawa, Simona Soukupova, Bianca Sattelmayer, Emi Tomimatsu.