UFC strawweight contender Denise Gomes, 25, garnered significant attention in 2023 following impressive back-to-back knockout victories over Bruna Brasil and Yazmin Jauregui, the latter achieved in merely 20 seconds. However, this momentum was tempered by a subsequent loss to the experienced veteran, Angela Hill.
That particular setback served as a turning point, prompting a reassessment of her approach to the sport.
Gomes has since rebounded effectively, securing decision wins against Eduarda Moura and Karolina Kowalkiewicz, improving her record within the promotion to 4-2 and her overall professional standing to 10-3. She views her upcoming clash with Elise Reed on May 17th at UFC Vegas 106 not just as another fight, but as a vital chance to further develop her capabilities as an athlete.
“I’m definitely improving and prioritizing my future,” Gomes stated in an interview. “Before, I relied heavily on my heart, but I wasn’t fighting smart or maturely. That’s the aspect I’m actively working on now. My fight with Karolina illustrates this. Some people suggested I should have pushed harder for a knockout. While I certainly could have, focusing solely on that might have prevented the degree of evolution I feel I achieved. My objective is to become a truly complete fighter. I`m putting in extensive work behind the scenes to make that happen. I need to challenge myself in different ways. Regardless of external perception, I have to think long-term. Perhaps some fans don`t fully grasp that concept. Just because I possess significant knockout power doesn`t mean that’s the only tool I should utilize. I must dedicate myself to becoming a well-rounded athlete.”
Her opponent, Elise Reed, a former Cage Fury strawweight champion who previously defeated Jasmine Jasudavicius, has experienced an alternating pattern of wins and losses since joining the UFC. In her most recent outing, the 32-year-old earned a decision victory over Jessica Penne, bringing her UFC record to 4-4.
Gomes sees clear progress in her own performance but acknowledges that the path to full development is still ongoing.
“These last two fights, particularly the decision wins, have significantly boosted my confidence, yet I understand I’m still on this journey,” Gomes commented. “It’s about taking one step at a time. My focus isn’t currently on rankings or financial gains; it’s purely on surpassing my performance from the previous fight. I trust that everything else I desire will follow as a result of that dedication. For this year, that singular goal is my primary focus, both as a competitor and as a person.”
While MMA is a competitive sport, it undeniably functions as entertainment as well. Gomes is aware that engaging in performances perceived as less spectacular could potentially impact her standing and brand over time. However, she requests understanding and patience from the fanbase.
“It’s especially challenging when you hear the boos,” Gomes admitted. “Fans naturally enjoy seeing fighters brutally exchanging blows. And honestly, we enjoy that aspect too. But when the tactical situation demands grappling instead of standing and trading, people react negatively with boos. In those specific moments, maintaining self-control is paramount, telling yourself, ‘My priority in this fight is myself first, and only then the entertainment for the fans.’ I believe this strategic approach will ultimately prove beneficial in the long run.”
Gomes describes her current state as a “transition” away from being solely an aggressive entertainer towards becoming a more strategically sound, well-rounded athlete. She feels increasingly confident in asserting herself as a true mixed martial artist. Should she secure a win against Reed, Gomes intends to request her next fight be held outside of the Las Vegas APEX facility, seeking to challenge herself and perform before a larger, potentially more diverse, audience away from her usual fighting grounds.
“With each fight, I aim to demonstrate that I possess skills beyond just striking,” Gomes stated. “My personal philosophy is ‘aggressiveness with intelligence.’ While pure aggression certainly helped me get noticed and reach this level, I am convinced that it alone isn`t sufficient to reach the absolute pinnacle of the sport. That combination of calculated aggression is what differentiates the elite fighters at the top. I believe I possess that inherent aggressiveness and am approaching this upcoming fight with a heightened sense of strategic intelligence.”
“I don’t necessarily anticipate that [Reed] will withstand three full rounds because I do possess a keen ability to spot knockout opportunities, but I also have the capability to grapple effectively. My intention is to enter the cage, assess the flow of the fight, and maintain control throughout. My previous knockout victories were largely products of pure instinct, although intelligence certainly played a part. But I aspire for more than just relying on instinct. The fights where I experienced losses significantly prompted me to consider, ‘What is my plan if my initial strategy doesn`t work out?’ I’ve been underestimated before, and I make sure not to underestimate any opponent myself, but I am fully aware of my own capabilities. I am confident that I possess the necessary tools to secure a finish against her.”
