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. Hamasaki has vacated her Invicta Fighting Championships atomweight crown and figures to continue to compete in Rizin, where she will return to action against Mina Kurobe on Sept. 30.2. 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 (13-2)
Asakura scored a significant victory at Rizin 11, outpointing fellow Top-10 atomweight Rena Kubota in the main event at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Asakura’s current eight-bout winning streak includes a championship in Rizin’s 108-pound grand prix, as she continues to establish herself as one of the top lighter-weight fighters in the world.4. Jinh Yu Frey (7-3)
It was not the cleanest of victories, but a controversial win is nonetheless a win. Frey now sits atop the Invicta Fighting Championships atomweight division following a five-round verdict over Finland’s Minna Grusander at Invicta 30. The triumph also erases the sting of a first-round knockout loss to Seo Hee Ham in a bid for the vacant Road Fighting Championship crown in December. Frey is 5-2 under the Invicta banner.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. Kurobe will next square off against former Invicta 105-pound titlist Ayaka Hamasaki at Rizin 13 on Sept. 30.6. Rena Kubota (6-2)
After being choked out by Kanna Asakura in the final of Rizin Fighting Federation’s 108-pound grand prix in 2017, Kubota had a chance for revenge at Rizin 11. Alas, the Shoot Boxing star came up short once again in the rematch, this time via decision. The 27-year-old remains a formidable talent with a reputation for finishing, as six of her seven career triumphs have come inside the distance.7. Maria de Oliveira Neta (10-4)
Neta, a product of Brazil’s Parana Vale Tudo impressed in her Rizin 108-pound grand prix quarterfinal against Alyssa Garcia in October and dominated the American with sharp striking. However, Neta 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. Neta took another defeat on the Brazilian version of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contenders Series, falling to Marina Alcalde Rodriguez via first-round TKO. However, that bout was contested at strawweight, and Rodriguez has since signed a UFC deal.8. 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 and will return against Jessica Delboni at Invicta FC 32 on Nov. 16.9. Minna Grusander (6-2)
It appeared that Grusander was more active than opponent Jinh Yu Frey in their clash for the vacant atomweight strap at Invicta Fighting Championships 30. While the Finland native’s clinch work and occasional offense surpassed Frey’s efforts, Grusander ultimately lost a unanimous decision. Given the close nature of the setback, Grusander’s stock should not fall significantly.10. Kyra Batara (7-4)
After losing three of her first five fights, the 24-year-old Batara has quietly been building her resume. Competing primarily under the Combate Americas banner, “Mogwai” has won five of her last six professional outings. That includes a unanimous decision win over Paulina Granados in the Combate Americas 18 headliner.Other Contenders: Lisbeth Lopez Silva, Satomi Takano, Emi Tomimatsu Tomo Maesawa, Jeong Eun Park
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, Eric Stinton, Ben Duffy, Jay Pettry, Jacob Debets, Nathan Zur, Kevin Wilson, Edward Carbajal, Jason Burgos, Guy Portman, Anthony Walker, Tudor Leonte, Mark Raymundo, Jordan Colbert, Jordan Breen, Mike Sloan, Tom Feely, Adam Martin and Joao Baptista.