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Women’s Atomweight
1. Ayaka Hamasaki (17-2)
Hamasaki solidified her position as the world’s top atomweight at Rizin 14, where she submitted Kanna Asakura with an armbar 4:34 into the second round of their bout to claim the Japanese promotion’s inaugural 105-pound crown. Since her loss to current UFC talent Livia Renata Souza in a strawweight bout at Invicta FC 22, the 36-year-old Tokyo native has reeled off triumphs over Asakura, Mina Kurobe and Alyssa Garcia under the Rizin banner.2. Seo Hee Ham (20-8)
After a 1-3 stint in the Octagon led to her UFC release, Ham has excelled competing back at her natural weight class. “Hamderlei Silva” extended her winning streak to three at Road FC 51, as she outpointed Jeong Eun Park in Seoul, South Korea on Dec. 15. That triumph comes on the heels of KO/TKO stoppages of Jinh Yu Frey and Mina Kurobe, firmly entrenching Ham as one of the world’s best at 105 pounds.3. Kanna Asakura (13-3)
Asakura had an opportunity to claim Rizin Fighting Federation’s inaugural atomweight title on New Year’s Eve, but the Paraestra Matsudo product came up short, falling to Ayaka Hamasaki by armbar in the second frame. That ended an eight-bout winning streak for the 21-year-old talent, who captured Rizin’s atomweight grand prix in 2017.4. Jinh Yu Frey (8-3)
It hasn’t been easy, but Frey has gotten the better of 10 hard-fought rounds against Minna Grusander to solidify her spot as Invicta Fighting Championships atomweight queen. After taking a controversial unanimous verdict over the Finnish fighter in July, Frey held on for a split-decision triumph in a rematch at Invicta FC 33. The Texan has won three of her last four bouts in the promotion and should be able to move on to a new challenge in her next appearance.5. 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. Kubota was supposed to return to action against Samantha Jean-Francois at Rizin 14, but a bad weight cut forced her to withdraw from the bout.6. 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.7. Ashley Cummins (7-4)
Cummins’ decision to move down to 105 pounds following her loss on “The Ultimate Fighter 23” continues to pay dividends. “Smashley” garnered a unanimous verdict over Jessica Correa Delboni at Invicta FC 32 for her second consecutive triumph. Cummins has won four of her last five bouts since 2016, with her only setback during that run coming in a competitive decision loss to Invicta champ Jinh Yu Frey.8. Minna Grusander (6-3)
Grusander hasn’t hurt her stock much in two bouts with Jinh Yu Frey, but she hasn’t emerged with a victory, either. “Brutsku” dropped a split verdict to Frey in their rematch at Invicta FC 33 after losing a somehow more controversial unanimous decision in their first meeting. The 29-year-old Finland native has nonetheless proven to be a tough out at 105 pounds and should be in line for another interesting matchup in the all-female promotion.9. Alesha Zappitella (5-0)
The 23-year-old Zappitella remained unbeaten in her burgeoning career at Invicta FC 33, earning a unanimous decision victory against FIT-NHB export Amber Brown. An accomplished amateur wrestler, “Half Pint” landed multiple takedowns against her opponent, using suffocating top pressure and ground-and-pound to earn an impressive triumph. The lone blemish on Zappitella’s ledger — a no contest against Stephanie Alba at Combate Americas 13 — was due to a failed marijuana test. In a relatively thin division, Zappitella is a prospect to watch going forward.10. Tomo Maesawa (11-8)
Maesawa claimed the Deep Jewels crown with a split-decision victory over reigning champion Mina Kurobe at Deep Jewels 22 in Tokyo on Dec. 1. It had to be an especially sweet triumph for Maesawa, who had been defeated by Kurobe on two previous occasions — once in 2016 and also in 2013. The soon to be 31-year-old has won five of her last six contests, going the distance in each of those victories.Other Contenders: Kyra Batara, Mina Kurobe, Lisbeth Lopez Silva, Satomi Takano, Emi Tomimatsu
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.