ONE Championship reveals atomweight grand prix field, and confirms Ham Seo-hee is included
- Eight competitors finally set after signing of South Korean star Ham holds up announcement for months
- Matchups start on May 28 with winner to face champ Angela Lee in November, though brackets not released
ONE Championship has finally confirmed its eight-woman field – including South Korean star Ham Seo-hee – and a May 28 start date for its atomweight grand prix, with the winner to challenge champion Angela Lee in November.
“Bar none, it is the single greatest female world grand prix in the history of martial arts,” ONE chairman Chatri Sityodtong said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
He told fans to “stay tuned” for the tournament brackets.
Former UFC, Road FC and Rizin star Ham (23-8) is joined by fellow newcomer and former Invicta FC star Alyse Anderson (5-1) of the US, while No 1-ranked atomweight Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga (8-0) of the Philippines, No 2-ranked Meng Bo (17-5) of China, and No 5-ranked Stamp Fairtex (5-1) of Thailand are all included.
However, there is no place for No 3-ranked veteran Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi (21-12-1) of Japan, nor No 4-ranked Lin “Fighting Sister” Heqin (14-2-1) of China.
Ukraine’s Alyona Rassohyna (13-4) – who beat Stamp via a dramatic fifth-round submission last month, with the former ONE Muay Thai and kick-boxing champ denying she tapped – also makes the cut, along with Japan’s Itsuki “Strong Heart Fighter” Hirata (7-0) and “The Indian Tigress” Ritu Phogat (4-0).