Ayaka Hamasaki to Meet Jinh Yu Frey in Champion vs. Champion Bout at Rizin 16

Ayaka Hamasaki will face Jinh Yu Frey in a cross-promotional title bout at Rizin 16.

The Japanese promotion announced the atomweight booking on Wednesday. Hamasaki, the Rizin champion, will put her super atomweight belt on the line against Frey, the reigning Invicta 105-pound queen.

Hamasaki and Frey initially squared off at Invicta FC 19, where the Japanese fighter won by doctor stoppage at the 4:38 mark of the second round. Frey was doing well before Hamasaki landed a right hand that opened a gash above her left eye that prompted a doctor to call off the bout.

Hamasaki is currently Sherdog.com’s No. 1 ranked atomweight fighter. After falling to Livinha Souza in a strawweight bout in her final Invicta appearance, the 37-year-old Tokyo native has reeled off three consecutive victories under the Rizin banner to improve her career mark to 17-2.

“I fought Frey 2 1/2 years ago, and I know it’s going to be a tough fight,” Hamasaki said. “I won by a cut, but she had me in some dangerous situations in the first round. This time I would like to dominate her in every aspect, and make her not ever want to fight me again.”

Frey, meanwhile, came up short against Seo Hee Ham in a bid for the Road FC atomweight championship in December 2017. She then claimed the vacant Invicta belt with a controversial decision win over Minna Grusander at Invicta FC 30 before taking a split verdict over Grusander in a rematch this past December.

“I have waited 2 1/2 years for this opportunity. It’s time to settle the score,” Frey said.

Rizin 16 takes place at Kobe World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan, on June 2. Several other bouts were announced for the card: Kanna Asakura vs. Miyuu Yamamoto at atomweight; Roque Martinez vs. Jake Heun at heavyweight; and Erson Yamamoto vs. Tim Eschtruth at bantamweight. Rizin 16 will also feature kickboxing bouts, including the return of Tenshin Nasukawa.