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Women’s Atomweight
1. Seo Hee Ham (23-8)
The third time proved to be a charm for Ham at Rizin 20, as she edged rival Ayaka Hamasaki via split decision to claim the Japanese promotion’s super atomweight crown. After losing a pair of bouts to Hamasaki under the Jewels banner from 2010 to 2011, the South Korean threatened her opponent with a triangle, landed punishing elbows and bloodied her nose with sharp left hands in their trilogy meeting. Ham has now won six consecutive bouts while competing in both Rizin and Road FC, where she also holds a title.2. Ayaka Hamasaki (19-3)
After twice besting Seo Hee Ham in Jewels nearly a decade ago, Hamasaki finally came up short against her South Korean rival at Rizin 20, losing a narrow split decision to relinquish her lightweight crown. While the 37-year-old fighter certainly had her moments in the contest, she ultimately couldn’t do enough to sway the scorecards in her favor. In defeat, Hamasaki saw a five-bout Rizin winning streak come to an end.3. Jinh Yu Frey (8-4)
For two rounds, Frey held her own with Ayaka Hamasaki at Rizin 16 – and many observers believe the Invicta champ might have even been getter the better of her opponent. Alas, a strong third frame gave Hamasaki a decision victory and prevented Frey from returning to Invicta with two title belts in tow. Frey hasn’t fared so well in cross-promotional bouts, as she was also knocked out by Road FC atomweight titlist Seo Hee Ham in December 2017. Frey will next defend her Invicta crown in a rematch against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 39 on Feb. 7.4. Miyuu Yamamoto (6-4)
Yamamoto returned to the win column at Rizin 20, as she earned a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph over Suwanan Boonsorn at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on New Year’s Eve. The 45-year-old Krazy Bee representative bounced back from a second-round TKO loss to Seo Hee Ham at Rizin 19 and has won five of her last six appearances within the Japanese promotion.5. Kanna Asakura (16-4)
In a cross-promotional bout at Bellator 237, Asakura submitted Jayme Hinshaw with a kimura 3:33 into the third round of their clash in Saitama, Japan, on Dec. 28. The former Rizin atomweight grand prix winner concluded her 2019 campaign with a 3-1 mark that also included victories over Alesha Zappitella and Tomo Maesawa.6. Rena Kubota (10-3)
Kubota avenged a previous loss to Lindsey VanZandt under the Bellator banner on New Year’s Eve, as she won via corner stoppage at the 4:42 mark of Round 3 at Rizin 20. The 28-year-old Shoot Boxing champion has won two consecutive fights since that loss to VanZandt at Bellator 222. She owns an impressive 9-2 overall mark under the Rizin banner.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. She will get a chance to avenge that loss when she faces Frey for the atomweight belt at Invicta FC 39 on Feb. 7s8. 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. Viviane Pereira (14-3)
After a three-fight losing streak against the likes of Tatiana Suarez, Xiaonan Yan and Mizuki Inoue prompted Pereira to exit the strawweight division, the 25-year-old Brazilian tested the waters at atomweight at Invicta FC 35. “Sucuri” was successful in the cage, taking a three-round verdict over Alesha Zappitella, but the scales were a different story, as she checked in at 106.7 pounds prior to the matchup. If she is to remain a fixture in the rankings, Pereira must prove she can make weight consistently.10. Alesha Zappitella (5-2)
Zappitella began her professional tenure with five victories in her first six appearances — another win was overturned due to a failed drug test — before dropping a unanimous decision to Viviane Pereira at Invicta FC 35 and a split verdict against Kanna Asakura at Rizin 18. Considering that her defeats have come against some of the better competition in the atomweight division, the 24-year-old “Half Pint” remains a prospect to watch going forward.Other Contenders: Kyra Batara, Tomo Maesawa, Mina Kurobe, Lisbeth Lopez Silva, Jessica Correa Delboni.
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, Ben Duffy, Jay Pettry, Edward Carbajal, Anthony Walker, Tudor Leonte, Keith Shillan, Mike Sloan, Patrick Auger and Tyler Treese.