Atomweight (MMA) explained

The atomweight division in mixed martial arts generally refers to competitors weighing less than 481NaN1, depending on the promotion. It sits below the heavier strawweight division and is the lightest weight class widely recognized within MMA. The atomweight division in mixed martial arts is used almost exclusively for Women's MMA.[1]

Ambiguity

In general, atomweight refers to competitors weighing less than 481NaN1, but the exact weight differs per promotion. Fight Matrix classifies fighters at 110.9 lbs (50.3 kg) and under as atomweight.[2]

History

Deep Jewels regularly holds contests at 47.6 kg and circulates a championship title. A tournament took place that culminated on December 17, 2011 at Jewels 17th Ring, where Naho Sugiyama defeated both Kikuyo Ishikawa and Misaki Takimoto on the same night to win the inaugural championship.[8] Although now titled the atomweight class, the division was previously known as the featherweight class until May 2015.[3]

Invicta held their inaugural atomweight title fight on October 6, 2012. The contest saw Jessica Penne defeating Naho Sugiyama by triangle choke in the second round.[9]

ONE Championship held their inaugural atomweight championship title match on May 6, 2016. The fight saw Angela Lee defeat Mei Yamaguchi.[10]

Road FC introduced an atomweight championship title on June 10, 2017. The match saw Seo Hee Ham defeat Mina Kurobe by TKO in the third round.[11]

Shooto introduced an atomweight championship via a tournament that culminated on November 27, 2022, where Chihiro Sawada defeated Yuki Ono.[12]

Pancrase held a tournament to crown their inaugural atomweight champion. It concluded on March 31, 2024, with Sarami stopping Sayako Fujita in the first round.[13]

Professional champions

Current champions

OrganizationReign beganChampionRecordDefenses
Deep JewelsJune 2, 2021 Saori Oshima10–3 (1KO 6SUB)1[14]
Invicta FCN/A VacantN/AN/A
ONE ChampionshipSeptember 30, 2023 Stamp Fairtex11–2 (5KO 2SUB)0
PancraseMarch 31, 2024 Sarami19–14 (3KO 6SUB)0
Road FCSeptember 4, 2021 Yu Ri Shim6–3 (2KO 1SUB)0[15]
ShootoNovember 27, 2022 Chihiro Sawada3-0–1 (1SUB)0

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LockerRoom Team . UFC Weight Classes Explained: Everything You Need to Know about them . lockerroom.in . 13 March 2022.
  2. Web site: Women's Atomweight . . 2023-01-01.
  3. Web site: Deep Jewels Adopts Unified Weight Classes, Elbows Now Legal . mmarising.com. 2015-06-02. 2023-01-01.
  4. Web site: Athletes . . 2023-01-01.
  5. Web site: パンクラス オフィシャル ルール 〜 2016年改訂版(2016年1月31日より実施) 〜. Pancrase. Japanese. 2023-01-01.
  6. Web site: Martial Arts . . 2023-01-01.
  7. Web site: FIGHTERS 選手紹介: アトム級 [-47.6 Kg ] / 10 選手]. Shooto. 2023-01-01.
  8. Web site: Jewels: "17th Ring" Live Play-By-Play & Results . mmarising.com . 2011-12-17. 2023-01-01.
  9. Web site: Invicta FC 3 results and LIVE fight coverage for 'Penne vs Sugiyama' TONIGHT (Oct. 6) . MMA Mania. 2012-10-06. 2023-01-01.
  10. Web site: LockerRoom Team . ONE Championship Weight Classes: Everything You need to know . lockerroom.in . 2023-01-01.
  11. Web site: Video: UFC vet Seo Hee Ham drops a weight class, wins Road FC atomweight belt . Bloody Elbow. 2017-06-14. 2023-01-01.
  12. Web site: 【修斗】清水清隆が引退試合で秒殺TKO負け、藤井伸樹が石井逸人との大激闘を制し新王者に! . eFight. 2022-11-27. 2023-01-01.
  13. Web site: Honoka Shigeta, Satomi Takano Win Championships At Pancrase 341. mmarising.com. 2024-03-31. 2024-05-04.
  14. Web site: Saori Oshima . sherdog.com . 13 March 2022.
  15. Web site: Yu Ri Shim . sherdog.com . 13 March 2022.