Denise Gomes


Denise Pacheco Gomes is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of November 11, 2025, she is #13 in the 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: Almeida vs. Lewis 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.

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
  • *Tied for second most knockouts in UFC Women's Strawweight division history
  • MMA Fighting
  • *2023 Third Team MMA All-Star

    Mixed martial arts record