Breaking Down Every Fighter In The ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently announced the full lineup for the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix, which will feature eight of the world’s best female fighters.
BREAKING NEWS: The ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix kicks off May 28! Bar none, it is the single greatest female world…
Posted by Chatri Sityodtong on Wednesday, February 24, 2021
The opening round of the historic tournament is scheduled for 28 May, and the eventual winner will earn the right to challenge reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee for the gold.
The contenders represent a diverse group of countries – including China, India, the United States, and Japan – and feature both familiar faces and promotional newcomers.
Before the action begins, let’s break down every world-class athlete who will compete in the greatest female mixed martial arts grand prix in history.
Denice Zamboanga (8-0)
Unbeaten Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga is the #1-ranked contender in the atomweight division thanks to her impressive run of three victories on the global stage.
The Filipina defeated Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi, Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan, and Watsapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong, and she was expected to challenge Lee before the Singaporean-American star announced her pregnancy last year.
Now, Zamboanga will have to get through the strong field to book her World Title shot, but given the striking and grappling acumen she’s displayed against some of the division’s top athletes, she’ll have a good chance to win any matchup.
Meng Bo (17-5)
Meng Bo has been on a tear since entering ONE Championship. The Chinese star blasted her way to three straight wins — two via first-round knockout — to earn the #2-ranked contender position.
Meng’s power has been her main asset in the promotion, especially in her debut victory against Laura “La Gladiadora” Balin and her subsequent win over Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol.
However, the Changsha native also has five submission wins on her resume, and she’ll bring a well-rounded arsenal into every battle.
Meng recently went on record to say she would knock out Zamboanga— with her rival clapping back almost immediately — so there’s a lot of anticipation for a potential matchup between the pair at some stage.
Stamp Fairtex (5-1)
Former ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Stamp Fairtex reached the top of the mountain in both stand-up disciplines. Now, she hopes to earn gold in mixed martial arts.
The Thai superstar got off to a perfect 5-0 start in the all-encompassing sport, earning the #5-ranked contender spot with four stoppages victories. But after dominating much of her last bout, a shocking late submission led to her first loss – one she’ll be eager to bounce back from.
Stamp is clearly a tough foe for any opponent on the feet, and her ground game has evolved with every outing. A strong run in the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix would show how far she’s come in mixed martial arts. Plus, she can compete without the added pressure of protecting her “0.”
- 8 Women Confirmed For ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix
- Meng Bo Takes Aim At Zamboanga: ‘I Can Finish Denice’
- Zamboanga Fires Back At Meng: ‘She’s Just Asking To Be Humbled’
Alyse Anderson (5-1)
New signing Alyse “Lil’ Savage” Anderson went 6-0 as an amateur and now boasts an impressive 5-1 professional slate.
The Michigan native earned some regional titles in the United States before competing in the all-female Invicta FC. That success in the leading North American platform earned her the chance to compete in The Home Of Martial Arts.
Anderson has a pair of knockout wins on her slate, but she cannot be underestimated in any range, as her flying triangle victory in July 2018 showed.
Itsuki Hirata (7-0)
Known as “Strong Heart Fighter,” Japan’s Itsuki Hirata is another undefeated entrant who’s earned her stripes on the global stage.
The K-Clann representative is 4-0 under the ONE banner and has finished every opponent in her path — without being too troubled by any of them.
The former judoka’s dominant grappling has opened up opportunities for submission and ground-and-pound finishes, and that will be her biggest asset in this tournament.
Alyona Rassohyna (13-4)
Ukrainian Mixed Martial Arts Champion Alyona Rassohyna made a massive statement when she pulled off a last-gasp guillotine choke victory over Stamp Fairtex at ONE: UNBREAKABLE III in February.
A true submission specialist, Rassohyna’s previous 10 wins had all come via armbar in the first round — and she almost repeated that feat against the Thai. Additionally, she showed her durability and never-quit attitude to get the win in the dying seconds.
One of the most experienced fighters in the field, the Yarost Gym representative can end any match in an instant, which means her opponents will have to be switched on from the first minute to the last.
Ritu Phogat (4-0)
India’s Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat is the last of the undefeated mixed martial artists on this list. And while she has the fewest professional bouts to her credit, Phogat is a Commonwealth Wrestling Gold Medalist with no shortage of high-level competitive experience.
“The Indian Tigress” moved to Singapore to train at the famed Evolve MMA and pursue a career in the Circle, and she hasn’t looked back.
In ONE, Phogat has used her phenomenal wrestling ability to ground-and-pound her way to three of her four victories. She’s also shown marked improvements across the board with each passing contest – skills that she hopes will make her India’s first Mixed Martial Arts World Champion.
Seo Hee Ham (23-8)
The most seasoned campaigner in the field is South Korea’s Seo Hee Ham, a new signee who’s entering ONE as a decorated Mixed Martial Arts Champion from some of Asia’s leading promotions.
Ham earned her spot on the roster with an incredible six-fight winning streak that includes four KO victories and four title bouts.
Her blend of aggression and experience will make her one of the tournament’s favorites and a dangerous adversary for anyone.
Read more: After Dominant 2020, Ritu Phogat Says ‘The Tigress Has Arrived’
