‘The greatest of all time’ is a label reserved strictly for only one specific component. Of course, when breaking down the category overall that the subject pertains to, there can be multiple different variants that make up the classification of a G.O.A.T.
In the general sports world, this often can come in the forms of a team’s best player historically. However, in a singular athletic endeavor like a combat sport such as mixed martial arts, the closest comparison to a team’s G.O.A.T. would be that of a weight division’s.
Looking through the histories of every class in MMA, each has their own fighter that stands out over the others as the one that most can agree upon as the best to ever do it. When it comes to the one that is least appreciated, that is undeniably Japan’s Ayaka Hamasaki.
As a member of the 105-pound atomweight division, it’s not much of a surprise that Hamasaki’s story hasn’t been properly spread as the entirety of the division’s hasn’t been either. And the two go hand in hand.
17-2 in her professional career, Hamasaki’s lone losses have come at 115-pounds to the likes of a perennial top contender at strawweight in Claudia Gadelha with the other to the former Invicta FC strawweight champion, Livia Renata Souza who now resides in the UFC as well.
The 37-year old’s journey has broken barriers and paved the way for the next generation of atomweights as well as fighters from her country. After obtaining the inaugural RIZIN title this past New Year’s Eve, Hamasaki firmly established herself as her division’s all-time best. Every organization she has fought in, she’s wound up hoisting its title high.
Entering into the sport 10 years ago, the Yamaguchi-Prefecture native would start building her career at home in Japan as she went 7-0 before deciding to test herself over in the West.
Her North American debut took place for Invicta FC in what was only their second event and Hamasaki would go on to submit the always game Lacey Schuckman with a third-round armbar. Thus showing a whole new audience what was in store for the future.
Continued (exclusive interview): Ayaka Hamasaki: Crafting a division's greatest untold legacy