Seo Hee Ham has been on a tear since leaving the UFC. The 32 year old has won five fights out of five and will be looking to add the Rizin super atomweight title to her Road FC atomweight belt this week.
Ham has looked unbeatable in her post octagon career. But she faces her biggest test yet against Ayaka Hamasaki at Rizin 20 tomorrow night.
The Japanese 108lber looks an unstoppable force and will have the crowd at the Saitama Super Arena firmly behind her. But Ham is confident that she will be able to defeat the hometown favorite and leave Japan with the belt around her waist,
“In the ring, there are only two of us. The champion is very good, so it is a challenge I have to overcome,” Ham said through her translator.
Very aggressive
Also riding a five-fight winning streak, Hamasaki captured the inaugural super atomweight strap at Rizin 14. She claimed the belt with a second-round armbar finish of Kanna Asakura and then defended it successfully with a decision win over Jinh Yu Frey at Rizin 16.
Ham has watched these fights and knows what her opponent brings to the table,
“We have watched her recent fights. She is very aggressive on top, so the strategy is to take her to win the exchanges on the feet. If it would go to ground, maintaining the top position is the best way to keep her pacified,” she shared.
Ham has already scored two wins for the Japanese promotion. She stopped reigning Deep-Jewels 105lbs champion Tomo Maesawa at Rizin 17 and veteran Miyuu Yamamoto at Rizin 19.
Second belt
Road FC appears to have simply run out of suitable opponents for her. But Ham remains their champion and is looking to add a second belt to her collection,
“I respect my opponent very much, but I am aiming for the victory, and for sure, I am going to bring the victory and the Rizin title to South Korea,” she stated.
There is no question that the world’s best atomweights and super atomweights are currently competing in Asia. A second title would massively underline Ham’s credentials as the number one and she is determined not to return back to Korea empty handed,
“No doubt that she is one of the best in the world today. But I seek to be where she is at right now. If she is blocking my way, then I will do everything in order to take her out and reach my destination. As we welcome the new year on December 31st, we will also celebrate the coronation of a new champion.”
