Sep 29, 2021

Ham Withdraws From Atomweight GP Semifinal, Mezabarba To Fight Stamp

There has been a major shake-up in the ONE Women's Atomweight World Grand Prix

One of the favorites to win the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix has been forced to the sidelines.

While preparing for her semifinal bout against former two-sport queen Stamp Fairtex at ONE: NEXTGEN on 29 October, South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee suffered an injury.

Pictures from the fight between Seo Hee Ham and Denice Zamboanga from ONE: EMPOWER

The Busan native will not be cleared in time to compete, which has caused her to withdraw from the biggest women’s mixed martial arts tournament in history.

Replacing her will be Brazilian standout Julie Mezabarba, who will now meet the aforementioned Thai megastar in the semifinal round.

Pictures from the match between Julie Mezabarba and Mei Yamaguchi from ONE: EMPOWER

Mezabarba earned her spot by defeating former two-time ONE World Title challenger Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi in a ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix alternate bout at the promotion’s historic all-female card, ONE: EMPOWER, on 3 September.

The Rio de Janeiro native brilliantly defended the Japanese grappler’s takedowns, kept the action upright, and picked her rival apart with punches, elbows, and knees in the clinch to earn a unanimous decision victory.

Now riding a six-bout winning streak, Mezabarba enters the tournament semifinal against Stamp with a tremendous amount of steam.

Pictures from the fight between Stamp Fairtex and Alyona Rassohyna from ONE: EMPOWER

Whoever emerges victorious from this matchup will slide into the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final. Joining them will be the winner of the other semifinal, which features Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata vs. Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat.

Stay tuned to ONEFC.com for more details.