UFC strawweight Denise Gomes, who garnered significant attention in 2023 with back-to-back knockout victories, experienced a turning point in her career following a loss to seasoned veteran Angela Hill. This defeat prompted a reevaluation of her approach to fighting.
Since that setback, Gomes has rebounded with two decision wins, bringing her UFC record to 4-2 and her professional record to 10-3. She views her upcoming bout against Elise Reed on May 17th not just as another fight, but as a critical opportunity to continue her evolution as an athlete.
Gomes stated that she is now focusing on developing maturity and strategic intelligence in the cage, a shift she felt was necessary after her fight with Karolina Kowalkiewicz. While some might have expected her to aggressively pursue a knockout in that match, Gomes believes that by focusing on a more controlled approach, she gained valuable experience and evolved more significantly than if she had solely chased the finish. Her priority is now becoming a complete fighter, working hard on all aspects of her game, even if it means her fights are not always the barnburners some fans expect.
Acknowledging that MMA is also a form of entertainment, Gomes is aware that fights perceived as less action-packed can draw criticism, including boos from the crowd. However, she stressed the importance of maintaining self-control in such moments, stating her primary focus is on her own development and execution, “I’m fighting for me first, and then for the fans.” She is confident that this strategic focus will ultimately benefit her career in the long run.
Gomes described her current phase as a “transition” from being primarily an aggressive striker to becoming a well-rounded mixed martial artist. She feels increasingly confident in her ability to blend different facets of the game, extending beyond just her known striking power. She lives by the motto “aggressiveness with intelligence,” believing that combining these elements is what separates the elite fighters.
Looking ahead, Gomes expressed her intention to request a slot on a non-APEX card after her potential victory against Reed. Fighting in front of larger live audiences outside the more contained APEX environment is seen as the next step to push herself further and gain valuable big-stage experience.
Despite possessing formidable knockout power and a natural instinct for finishing fights, Gomes is also developing her grappling and overall cage control. She noted that her past knockout wins often came from pure instinct, but she now seeks a more calculated approach. Her losses taught her the necessity of having a multifaceted game plan, recognizing that a strategy focused solely on striking might not always succeed. While she respects her opponents, Gomes trusts her skills and preparation and believes she has the capability to finish the upcoming fight, but is prepared to win strategically.
