Women’s Atomweight
1. Ayaka Hamasaki (15-2)
Hamasaki managed to put the memory of her first-round knockout loss to Livia Renata Souza in the rearview mirror, as she returned to the win column with a three-round verdict over Alyssa Garcia at Rizin Fighting Federation 10 on May 8. The 36-year-old Hamasaki has vacated her Invicta Fighting Championships atomweight crown, so she figures to continue to compete in Rizin -- or elsewhere in Japan -- for the foreseeable future.2. Seo Hee Ham (19-8)
After several tough bouts did not break her way, Ham was released from the UFC with a 1-3 promotional record and a lot of what-if propositions. If one of those hypotheticals involved how Ham would do back in her natural weight class, well, now we know. Upon returning to 105 pounds, Ham ran roughshod over veteran Mina Kurobe to take Road Fighting Championship’s vacant atomweight title. Then on Dec. 23, she blew away former Invicta title challenger Jinh Yu Frey in the first round. “Hamderlei Silva” is back in full effect.3. Kanna Asakura (12-2)
After a 6-0 campaign a year ago saw the Parestra Matsudo product capture the Rizin 108-pound grand prix crown, Asakura continued her winning ways in her first appearance of 2018. The 20-year-old Japanese standout outpointed Melissa Sophia Karagianis at Rizin 10 on May 6 to extend her winning streak to seven fights. Up next for Asakura is a rematch of the grand prix final against Rena Kubota at Rizin 11 on July 29.4. Jinh Yu Frey (6-3)
Frey came up short in her bid for the Road Fighting Championship atomweight title in December, as she fell to Seo Hee Ham via first-round knockout in Seoul. Now that former opponent Ayaka Hamasaki has vacated the Invicta Fighting Championships 105-pound crown, Frey will jump right back into the title chase in a showdown with Minna Grusander for the promotion’s vacant atomweight strap on July 21.5. Mina Kurobe (11-3)
The reigning Deep Jewels atomweight queen, Kurobe has won seven of her last eight fights. The 41-year-old grappler successfully defended her crown for the first time on March 10, as she earned a decision over Satomi Takano at Deep Jewels 19.6. Rena Kubota (6-1)
In her Rizin Fighting Federation 108-pound grand prix semifinal on Dec. 31, Shoot Boxing star Kubota looked outstanding, as she pulverized Spain’s Irene Cabello Rivera in Round 1 and headed into the tournament final as a favorite. However, the 26-year-old suffered the first loss of her pro MMA career in the final, where she was choked out by Kanna Asakura. Kubota will get a chance to avenge that defeat when she meets Asakura in a rematch at Rizin 11 on July 29.7. Naho Sugiyama (12-5)
Sugiyama topped Emi Tomimatsu in June to become Deep Jewels atomweight champion. Unfortunately, in her first title defense, she could not replicate her November 2015 win over Mina Kurobe, dropping a unanimous decision and the strap. The 40-year-old “Sugi Rock” is now 4-2 in her last six contests.8. Maria Oliveira Mota (10-3)
Another product of Brazil’s Parana Vale Tudo, which is home to perhaps the deepest stable of women’s MMA talent in the world, Mota impressed in her Rizin 108-pound grand prix quarterfinal against Alyssa Garcia in October and dominated the American with sharp striking. However, Oliveira had her nine-fight winning streak snapped on New Year’s Eve in the tournament semifinals, as she had no answer the grappling of Kanna Asakura, who armbarred her in the second round.9. Ashley Cummins (6-4)
Cummins opted to move down to 105 pounds following her loss on “The Ultimate Fighter 23,” and the move continues to pay dividends. Coming off of a competitive loss to former Invicta title challenger Jinh Yu Frey in July, “Smashley” responded handily at Invicta 27 on Jan. 13, pounding out a unanimous verdict over Stephanie Alba. Cummins has won three of her last four.10. Minna Grusander (6-1)
Finland’s Grusander has spent most of her career competing in 110-pound catchweight and strawweight bouts, but a second-round technical knockout of Fernanda Priscila as an atomweight at Invicta 28 has netted “Brutsku” a title shot in the all-female promotion. Grusander will square off against Jinh Yu Frey at Invicta 30 on July 21, with the organization’s vacant atomweight strap on the line.Other Contenders: Kyra Batara, Jeong Eun Park, Lisbeth Lopez Silva, Tessa Simpson, Satomi Takano.
Sherdog’s divisional and pound-for-pound rankings are compiled by a panel of Sherdog.com staff members and contributors: Tristen Critchfield, Mike Fridley, Brian Knapp, Jesse Denis, James Nietering, Eric Stinton, Ben Duffy, Josh Stillman, Nathan Zur, Kevin Wilson, Edward Carbajal, Jason Burgos, Anthony Walker, Tudor Leonte, Mark Raymundo, Jordan Colbert, Jordan Breen, Mike Sloan and Joao Baptista.