UFC strawweight Denise Gomes, 25 years old, garnered significant buzz in the promotion after securing two consecutive knockout victories in 2023, including a rapid 20-second finish. However, her impressive run was halted by a loss to the seasoned veteran Angela Hill. This defeat marked a turning point, prompting her to re-evaluate her approach to the sport.
Following the setback, Gomes successfully rebounded with decision wins over Eduarda Moura and Karolina Kowalkiewicz, bringing her UFC record to 4-2 and her professional standing to 10-3 overall. She views her upcoming clash with Elise Reed on May 17th at UFC Vegas 106 as a further chance to refine her abilities as an athlete.
“I’m improving, and I’m thinking about the future,” Gomes commented. “I used to rely heavily on heart but lacked strategic maturity. That’s what I’m developing now. The Karolina fight is an example. People suggested I could have gone for the knockout, and maybe I could have, but focusing solely on the finish might have prevented the comprehensive growth I believe I achieved. I’m striving to become a complete fighter, which involves dedicated work behind the scenes. I need to test myself in all areas. Whether fans understand it or not, I must prioritize my long-term development. Just because I have knockout power doesn’t mean it`s the only skill I should employ; I need to be a well-rounded competitor.”
Her opponent, Elise Reed, a former Cage Fury strawweight champion with a win over Jasmine Jasudavicius on her record, has experienced mixed results since joining the UFC. In her most recent outing, the 32-year-old secured a decision victory against Jessica Penne, moving her UFC record to 4-4.
Gomes sees progress in her own game but acknowledges that the journey is still ongoing.
“These recent fights have been very important for building my confidence, but I’m still progressing step by step,” Gomes stated. “My primary focus isn’t on finances or rankings at this moment. It’s about becoming a better fighter than I was in my last bout, because I trust that the other things will follow naturally. That’s my main goal for this year, both personally and as an athlete.”
While MMA is a competitive sport, it is also heavily driven by entertainment. Gomes understands that fights perceived as less action-packed might impact her public image and future prospects. Nevertheless, she asks for understanding from the fanbase.
“It’s especially difficult when you hear the boos,” Gomes admitted. “Fans want to witness fighters inflict significant damage, and truthfully, we enjoy that aspect too. But when the fight transitions to grappling instead of continuous striking exchanges, fans often express their displeasure with boos. In those moments, you require significant self-control and have to tell yourself, ‘I am fighting for myself first, and *then* for the fans.’ This strategic approach is ultimately for a larger purpose down the road.”
Gomes views herself as being in a period of “transition” from being known mainly as a high-action entertainer to evolving into a strategically sound, well-rounded athlete. She now feels secure in identifying as a complete MMA fighter. If she wins on Saturday, Gomes plans to ask the UFC for a placement on a card away from the familiar APEX facility, seeking to challenge herself outside her comfort zone and perform before a different audience.
“In every fight, I aim to show that I am more than just a striker,” Gomes explained. “My personal motto is ‘aggressiveness with intelligence.’ Aggression was crucial in bringing me to this point, but I firmly believe that solely relying on it won`t take me to the top tier. Strategic intelligence is what distinguishes the elite fighters. I feel I possess that natural aggressiveness, and I am approaching this upcoming fight with improved tactical awareness.”
“I don’t necessarily think [Reed] will go the full three rounds because I still have a good eye for finding a knockout, but I am also capable of grappling,” she predicted. “I want to enter the fight, adapt to the situation, and maintain control. My previous knockouts were largely driven by pure instinct, although there was intelligence involved. But I desire more than just finishes. The fights I lost forced me to consider, ‘What happens if my planned strategy doesn’t work? What’s my alternative?’ I’ve been underestimated before, and I never underestimate any opponent, but I know my own capabilities. I have the tools to finish her.”
Marcus Blakely