Denise Gomes: Is the Top 5 her next target?

Denise Gomes isn't here to just make up the numbers; she's here to wreck the rankings. Currently ranked #9, the Brazilian is a pace-setting machine who turns every exchange into an unsolvable puzzle for her opponents. She’s not here to dance—she’s here to climb into the Top 5.

🥊 Quick Stats

Name: Denise Gomes
Record: 10-3-0
Signature Style: A "Balanced" archetype that refuses to choose between standing violence and ground pressure.

The High-Five Block

Last 5 results:

• ✅ Tecia Pennington — Unanimous decision UFC Fight Night
• ✅ Elise Reed — KO/TKO (R2) UFC Fight Night
• ✅ Karolina Kowalkiewicz — Unanimous decision UFC Fight Night
• ✅ Eduarda Moura — Split decision UFC Fight Night
• ❌ Angela Hill — Unanimous decision UFC Fight Night

The Origin Story

Inside the cage, Gomes is the type of fighter who never blinks. Her journey is one of constant ascent, forged by a rare ability to adapt. She isn't a one-dimensional specialist; she’s a hybrid threat. Landing 4.4 strikes per minute, she sets a tempo that suffocates her opponents before they can even get their own game going. This aggression is the engine of her career: she hunts for the finish with a hunger that recalls the glory days of the strawweight division.

Conquering the Top 10

Going through Angela Hill was a lesson, but the victories that followed proved her resilience. Gomes has cleared the path, taking down established names like Kowalkiewicz. She’s no longer just a prospect; she’s the real deal. She’s learned how to navigate the murky waters of split decisions to eventually impose her will. Every fight is another brick in the bridge toward the belt. She isn't just looking to win; she’s looking to make her opponents look obsolete.

Useless Knowledge

• Gomes boasts a 49% striking accuracy, a surgical precision that punishes the slightest defensive lapse from her rivals.
• With 1.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, she uses wrestling as a tool to destabilize rather than as an end in itself.

The MMX Take

The fight against Yan Xiaonan is a maturity test. Gomes needs to be careful: her striking defense (51.6%) and takedown defense (66.7%) are her Achilles' heels. Against a technician like Yan, the slightest flaw will cost her dearly. If Gomes lets the fight turn into a pure striking match, she risks being countered by the Chinese fighter's precision. The key? Impose physical chaos, change levels, and force Yan to wrestle. If Gomes manages to break the rhythm, she has every chance of coming out on top. If she stays static, she’s hitting a wall.

Denise Gomes is living proof that determination always pays off in the cage. Do you think she’ll win her next fight? Head over to make your picks and challenge your buddies on MMX.

📋 On the same card: Check out all the profiles for UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song

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