Women's MMA continues to grow in popularity and quality year on year. And whilst it's mostly the strawweight and flyweight divisions that garner much of the attention, because of elite promotions such as the UFC and Bellator, the female atomweight division has also played a huge part in growing the sport.

The atomweight division may not be known to many casual fans because the UFC do not have this weight class. Nevertheless, there have been many elite fighters that have made a name for themselves in Asia competing in the atomweight division.

In this article, we will rank and analyse the best female atomweight fighters in MMA history with the use of the SportsBoom MetaScale.

The rankings are based on the following criteria:

Career Record (40%): Focus on win-loss records, undefeated streaks, and notable opponents.

Championships & Titles (30%): Titles won in major MMA promotions like Rizin, Invicta FC, and DEEP Jewels.

Competition Level (20%): Quality of opponents and success against ranked fighters.

Additional Achievements (10%): Impact on the division, accolades, and unique career milestones.

Sources Used:

• Tapology
• FightMatrix

Critical Consensus: Ranking the Best Female Atomweight Fighters in MMA History

The Critical Consensus Table includes data rankings from Tapology and FightMatrix whilst also including their record and notable achievements in pro MMA.

Critical Consensus Table

Below is a breakdown of key information for all of the listed fighters in this table.

4. Kanna Asakura

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

1. Seika Izawa

With an undefeated record of 15-0,  Seika Izawa has dominated the lower weights in the female divisions in the Rizin Fighting Federation. The Japanese fighter currently holds the Jewels strawweight and atomweight champion, as well as holding the Rizin super-atomweight title.

Izawa has dismantled top-tier competitors in Rizin. Her grappling skills and fight IQ make her a nightmare for opponents.

2. Ayaka Hamasaki

Ayaka Hamasaki is very much a veteran of female MMA as she enters her 16th year as a professional fighter. In that time, Hamasaki has racked up an impressive record of 25-6. She is a former Invicta FC atomweight champion and a former Rizin super-atomweight champion, having been the first super-atomweight champion in Rizin history.

In addition, the Japanese fighter holds the record for the most submission wins in Rizin history (five). It's wins like her victory at Rizin 26 that has made her known for her submission game and her versatility. 

3. Elisandra Ferreira

Elisandra Ferreira may be inexperienced as far as her 8-2 record goes, but she is very much one for the future, being just 26 years of age. The Brazilian has won four straight fights including her most recent victory when she claimed the vacant Invicta FC atomweight title.

Otherwise known as “Lili”, Ferreira is a rising star in women's MMA and she is becoming a must-watch because of her explosive striking style.

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

4. Kanna Asakura

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

Despite being just 27, Kanna Asakura is considered one of the most experienced fighters in female MMA. The Japanese fighter holds the record for most bouts in Rizin promotion history with 17. Asakura has never won a title during her time in Rizin, but she did win the Rizin super-atomweight Grand Prix in 2017.

Asakura is known as a relentless grappler and has consistently challenged the best in Rizin despite not winning a belt.

Kanna Asakura//Getty Images

5. Saori Oshima

Saori Oshima is one of the best Judo fighters in female MMA currently, and this has helped her accumulate 14 wins and just 5 losses. She is currently the DEEP microweight champion, and is the former Jewels atomweight champion.

Oshima’s technical prowess in grappling has earned her recognition as one of the most skilled fighters in the lower divisions. Being just 30 years old, she still has plenty to give to the sport.

6. Jillian DeCoursey

Jillian DeCoursey transitioned into professional MMA very late after having an excellent grappling career. Despite being just 6-4, the American is a former Invicta FC atomweight champion. 

DeCoursey’s resilience and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations has defined her MMA career thus far. Having not fought in 2024, there are question marks over her future in MMA given she is 40 years old.

7. Rena Kubota

Even though Rena Kubota has not won a title in MMA, she did make it to the final of the Rizin Grand Prix Final in 2017 before losing via technical submission to Kanna Asakura. Kubota had a long kickboxing career which saw her win the Shoot Boxing Girls tournament seven times.

Kubota’s striking pedigree and fan-friendly style have made her a standout in Rizin, and she still has plenty of time in her career to earn her first major MMA title.

8. Mina Kurobe

Mina Kurobe is into her 13th year as a pro MMA fighter, going 18-7 during that time. Kurobe has claimed the DEEP atomweight title and more recently the Shooto super-atomweight championship. But at 47, and having not fought in 2024, you have to think she is running out of time in her career.

Kurobe’s experience and consistency have kept her relevant in the competitive lower weight divisions.

9. Satomi Takano

With a record of 20-14, Satomi Takano now enters her 13th year as a professional MMA fighter, having won multiple major titles/tournaments. Takano won the Shoot super-atomweight title, but more recently, she became the first-ever Pancrase atomweight champion in March 2024.

Known for her durability and well-rounded skill set, Takano has maintained longevity in the sport.

10. Moeri Suda

Moeri Suda is the youngest fighter on this list by far. At just 20 years of age, Suda has achieved a record of 12-6. The Japanese fighter has positioned herself as a strong contender in the DEEP and Jewels promotion. 

Before transitioning to MMA, Suda won four featherweight tournaments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At just 20, Suda’s grappling skills and rapid improvement make her a future star in the division.

SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Best Female Atomweight Fighters in MMA History

You're absolutely correct; the SportsBoom MetaScale table should include all the fighters from the Critical Consensus Table to ensure comprehensive coverage and ranking. Here's the revised MetaScale Table with all 10 fighters included:

SportsBoom MetaScale Table

MetaScale Calculation Overview:

Career Record (40%): Analyzed based on win rate and streaks.

Championships (30%): Focus on titles in top-tier promotions.

Competition Level (20%): Quality of opponents and victories over ranked fighters.

Additional Achievements (10%): Contributions to MMA and unique accolades.

Dominance of Japanese Fighters: Fighters from Japan, such as Seika Izawa and Ayaka Hamasaki, have consistently excelled in this division.

Key Promotions: Rizin and Invicta FC have been instrumental in showcasing and growing the atomweight division.

Emerging Stars: Fighters like Moeri Suda represent the next generation of talent poised to elevate the division further.

SportsBoom Suggestions

As the undefeated queen of the division, Seika Izawa has simply shown her dominance in the lower female weight divisions.

Meanwhile, excellent young fighters such as Moeri Suda have already proven themselves to be worthy contenders, and they have plenty of time to fulfill their potential.

Ayaka Hamasaki and Mina Kurobe have showcased their abilities over a number of years, and really don't have much else to give the sport. Despite coming towards the end of their careers, they are still highly competitive.