Denise Gomes

Denise Pacheco Gomes (born December 30, 1999) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 29, 2026, she is #4 in the Meta UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Gomes started her professional MMA career in 2017 and mainly fought in Brazil. She amassed a record of 4–1 prior to being signed by Invicta.

Gomes faced Milana Dudieva at Invicta FC 46 on March 9, 2022. She won the bout in the third round by way of technical knockout by knees and punches.

Gomes faced Rayanne Amanda at Dana White's Contender Series 51 on August 23, 2022. She won the fight via unanimous decision, earning her a UFC contract in the process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Gomes faced Loma Lookboonmee on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. She replaced Diana Belbiţă who was originally scheduled to face Lookboonmee. Gomes lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Gomes was scheduled to face Bruna Brasil on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44. Gomes won the bout by technical knockout.

Gomes faced Yazmin Jauregui at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023. She won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, earning her a Performance of the Night award.

Gomes faced Angela Hill at UFC Fight Night 231 on November 4, 2023. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Gomes faced Eduarda Moura on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. At the weigh-ins, Moura weighed in at 116.5 pounds, half a pound over the strawweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Moura was fined 20 percent of her purse which went to Gomes. She won the fight by split decision.

Gomes faced former KSW Flyweight Champion Karolina Kowalkiewicz on November 9, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 247. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Gomes faced former Cage Fury FC Strawweight Champion Elise Reed on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. She won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. This fight earned her another Performance of the Night award.

Gomes faced Tecia Pennington on November 8, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 264. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Gomes was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on August 8, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 284. However, for undisclosed reasons, Gomes was replaced by Alexia Thainara.

Gomes faced Yan Xiaonan on August 30, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 286. She won the fight by knockout at the end of the first round.

Professional grappling career Gomes was scheduled to face Giovanna Canuto at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on March 3, 2024.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times) MMA Fighting 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Win

Yan Xiaonan KO (elbow and punches) UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song

Shanghai, China Win

Tecia Pennington Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Elise Reed TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eduarda Moura Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss

Angela Hill Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Yazmin Jauregui TKO (punches) UFC 290

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bruna Brasil TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss

Loma Lookboonmee Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rayanne dos Santos Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 51

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Milana Dudieva TKO (knees and punches) Invicta FC 46

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Win

Jeanne Ruas TKO (punches) Standout Fighting Tournament 31

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Andressa Romero Decision (unanimous) Standout Fighting Tournament 28

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Andreyna Raquel KO (punches) Arena Global 12

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Juliana Nascimento TKO (punches) O Rei da Luta 3

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Gisele Moreira TKO (punches) Aspera FC 57

Florianópolis, Brazil