Women’s Atomweight
1. Ayaka Hamasaki (14-1)
In her second Invicta atomweight title defense in September, Hamasaki struggled with challenger Jinh Yu Frey’s striking and was ultimately lucky to escape with a win and her title via second-round cut stoppage. Lest you think a pound-for-pound stalwart like Hamasaki would be deterred from a challenge, the 105-pound queen has decided to jump back up to 115 pounds next time out, meeting former Invicta strawweight champion Livia Renata Souza at Invicta 22 on March 25.2. Jinh Yu Frey (5-2)
Frey looked outstanding in her title challenge against Ayaka Hamasaki before a cut halted her in a bout she was winning late in the second round at Invicta 19 in September. Frey will not get an immediate rematch, but the savvy striker’s next outing is still especially appealing: She will take on 10-0 hot Brazilian prospect Janaisa Morandin at Invicta 22 on March 25.3. Herica Tiburcio (10-4)
Brazil’s Tiburcio got a brilliant breakout win in December 2014, when she choked out Michelle Waterson in the third round to grab the Invicta 105-pound title. However, back-to-back losses to Ayaka Hamasaki and Jinh Yu Frey have since relegated the 25-year-old to third-banana status at 105 pounds. Tiburcio got back into the win column in November, earning a unanimous decision over tough Simona Soukupova at Invicta 20.4. Mina Kurobe (10-2)
Going on 40 years old, Mina 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 Deep Jewels 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)
In June 2016, Naho Sugiyama topped Emi Tomimatsu to become Deep Jewels atomweight champion. Unfortunately, in her first title defense on Feb. 25, she couldn't 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 has had a ton of bad opponent luck over the last 18 months, with bouts against Celine Haga, Gina Iniong, Mei Yamaguchi and Julia Jones all falling apart. Even so, “Typhoon” managed to hammer out two quality victories at 105 pounds in 2016, tapping Satomi Takano in Pacific Xtreme Combat in March before earning a unanimous decision over Simona Soukupova in Invicta four months later.7. Janaisa Morandin (9-0)
Aggressive, entertaining and undefeated, Morandin is the hottest prospect at 105 pounds right now, with six stoppages among her nine pro wins. The Brazilian’s upside caught Invicta’s eye quickly, and the “Evil Princess” certainly is not getting an easy fight in her promotional debut. Morandin will make her first appearance outside of Brazil at Invicta 22 on March 25, taking on fellow striking specialist and former Invicta title challenger Jinh Yu Frey.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. Amber Brown (6-3)
Amber Brown is due to abandon the atomweight division for strawweight. In November, she stepped up to 115 and was armbarred by Ashley Yoder at Invicta FC 20. Her next bout will come at Invicta FC 22 on March 25, against Ashley Cummins in her return to the 105-pound division and a string of victories back at atomweight could eventually earn her another title crack.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: Tatiane Damiana Bergamaschi, Tomo Maesawa, Simona Soukupova, Bianca Sattelmayer, Emi Tomimatsu