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Women’s Atomweight
1. Ayaka Hamasaki (19-2)
Hamasaki’s latest outing at Rizin 18 wasn’t without some difficulties. The atomweight queen had her back taken and was mounted by Suwanan Boonsorn in the early going, but the 37-year-old Tokyo native rallied submit her adversary with an armbar at the 3:20 mark of the opening frame. That makes five consecutive victories for Hamasaki – including a cross-promotional title defense against Invicta champ Jinh Yu Frey – since she lost to Livinha Souza via first-round knockout in a strawweight contest at Invicta FC 22. Hamasaki will square off with Seo Hee Ham for a third time at Rizin 20 on New Year’s Eve.2. Seo Hee Ham (22-8)
Ham displayed some stellar takedown defense against Miyuu Yamamoto at Rizin 19, as she denied her foe’s shots and answered with punishing offense en route to a technical knockout victory at the 4:42 mark of Round 2. Ham has won five consecutive contests and has set up a trilogy with reigning Rizin champ Ayaka Hamasaki, whom she lost two twice under the Jewels banner nearly a decade ago. Ham and Hamasaki will meet for a third time at Rizin 20 on Dec. 31.3. 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. .4. Miyuu Yamamoto (5-4)
On the heels of a surprising victory over Kanna Asakura in June, Yamamoto couldn’t keep her momentum going at Rizin 19, where she suffered a second-round TKO defeat to Seo Hee Ham. Yamamoto was never able to implement her wrestling, and she ended the bout clinging to a leg as Ham pounded away with hammerfists. That defeat snapped a four-fight winning streak under the Rizin banner for the 45-year-old Krazy Bee representative. Yamamoto is expected to face Suwanan Boonsorn at Rizin 20 on Dec. 31.5. Kanna Asakura (15-4)
Asakura relied on her boxing to capture a hard-fought split-decision triumph over Invicta FC prospect Alesha Zappitella at Rizin 18 on Aug. 18 in Nagoya, Japan. The 21-year-old Paraestra Matsudo member rebounded nicely from an upset loss to Miyuu Yamamoto in her last outing at Rizin 16. Asakura owns an 8-3 record in the Japanese promotion, a mark that includes a victory in the Rizin atomweight grand prix in 2018. Next, Asakura will meet Jayme Hinshaw in a cross-promotional matchup at Bellator 237.6. Rena Kubota (9-3)
Faced with a winless opponent at Rizin 19, Kubota did as expected, finishing Alexandra Alvare Carlos with a front kick and follow-up punches just 20 seconds into their 112-pound encounter. The Shoot Boxing queen has won two of her last three bouts and owns an 8-2 mark while competing with the Japanese promotion. She will next face Lindsey VanZandt in a rematch at Rizin 20 on Dec. 31.7. 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. 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.