Denise Gomes Bio
Denise Pacheco Gomes, widely known as Dee, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on December 30, 1999, in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, she has built a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses since turning pro in 2017. Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, and training with Paraná Vale Tudo, she has emerged as a ranked contender in one of the most competitive divisions in mixed martial arts.
As of mid-2025, Denise Gomes holds the No. 13 spot in the official UFC women’s strawweight rankings, a milestone reflecting years of steady development on regional circuits in Brazil and the global stage of the UFC. She stands 5 feet 2 inches tall and competes at 115 pounds, using a balanced combination of striking and grappling to wear down opponents over three rounds.
Early Life and Background
Denise Pacheco Gomes was born and raised in São Leopoldo, a city in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The region has a strong martial arts culture, and Gomes was introduced to combat sports at a young age. Growing up in a country where mixed martial arts has grown rapidly since the early 2000s, she had access to gyms that trained fighters across multiple disciplines, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling.
From her earliest training days, Gomes focused on building a versatile skill set, drawing from the rich grappling traditions of southern Brazil while sharpening her striking under coaches who prepared her for professional competition. Her commitment to the sport led her to join Paraná Vale Tudo, a respected team that would become central to her development as a fighter.
Path to MMA
Denise Gomes began her professional mixed martial arts career in 2017, fighting primarily on regional shows in Brazil. Over her first few years as a pro, she built a foundation of experience and a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, which attracted the attention of international promotions. Her early bouts helped her refine her timing, conditioning, and fight IQ at the Strawweight limit of 115 pounds.
In 2022, Gomes earned an opportunity with Invicta Fighting Championships, one of the leading all-women MMA organizations. She faced Milana Dudieva at Invicta FC 46 on March 9, 2022, and earned a third-round technical knockout victory using a combination of knees and punches. The performance demonstrated her growth as a finisher and set the stage for a life-changing appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Denise Gomes Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
During her early professional years, Denise Gomes competed in regional promotions throughout Brazil, compiling a record that included wins by knockout and decision. She developed a reputation for her pressure-heavy style and her ability to close distance on opponents. By the end of 2021, she had established herself as a promising Strawweight prospect ready for bigger opportunities.
Gomes’s performances on the Brazilian circuit showcased her technical striking and willingness to engage in prolonged exchanges. Her training at Paraná Vale Tudo gave her the structure needed to balance her development as a fighter with the demands of a young career, helping her earn a shot at Invicta FC in 2022.
Invicta FC and Contender Series Breakthrough (2022)
Gomes made her Invicta FC debut on March 9, 2022, against Milana Dudieva at Invicta FC 46. She won the fight in the third round by technical knockout through a series of knees and punches, announcing herself as a serious Strawweight prospect on the international stage.
On August 23, 2022, Gomes faced Rayanne Amanda on Dana White’s Contender Series 51. She dominated the fight and earned a unanimous decision victory, which secured her a UFC contract. The win marked the official transition from regional prospect to UFC roster member, validating years of work in her home country.
UFC Tenure (2022–Present)
Denise Gomes made her UFC debut on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210 against Loma Lookboonmee, replacing the injured Diana Belbiţă on short notice. She lost the fight by unanimous decision but gained valuable experience inside the Octagon against a seasoned veteran.
In 2023, Gomes bounced back with a technical knockout win over Bruna Brasil at UFC on ESPN 44 on April 15, 2023. She followed that with a first-round technical knockout of Yazmin Jauregui at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023, a performance that earned her a Performance of the Night award. After a decision loss to Angela Hill in November 2023, she returned to the win column with a split-decision victory over Eduarda Moura at UFC on ESPN 57 on June 8, 2024, in a catchweight bout.
Recent Form and Rankings (2024–2025)
Gomes continued her climb with a unanimous decision win over former KSW Flyweight Champion Karolina Kowalkiewicz on November 9, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 247. The victory signaled her rise into the divisional rankings and established her as a consistent threat at Strawweight.
On May 17, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 256, Gomes stopped former Cage Fury FC Strawweight Champion Elise Reed by second-round technical knockout, earning her second Performance of the Night bonus. She extended her streak with a unanimous decision win over Tecia Pennington at UFC Fight Night 264 on November 8, 2025, solidifying her place among the top 15 strawweights in the world.
Style and Strengths
Denise Gomes is known for her pressure-oriented striking, crisp boxing combinations, and effective use of clinch knees. Training with Paraná Vale Tudo has given her a well-rounded base that allows her to mix strikes with grappling threats. Her ability to finish fights both inside the distance and on the scorecards makes her a versatile matchup for any strawweight on the roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her most memorable moments are her first-round technical knockout of Yazmin Jauregui at UFC 290, which earned her a Performance of the Night bonus, and her second-round stoppage of Elise Reed at UFC Fight Night 256, which secured another bonus. Earning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022 also stands as a defining career milestone.
Denise Gomes Career Wins
Denise Gomes has accumulated 12 professional victories across regional Brazilian promotions, Invicta FC, and the UFC. Her wins include a mix of knockouts, technical knockouts, and decisions, reflecting her ability to adapt to different opponents and rule sets.
UFC Highlights
Inside the UFC, Gomes has earned notable wins over Bruna Brasil, Yazmin Jauregui, Eduarda Moura, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Elise Reed, and Tecia Pennington. Her most recent victory came against Pennington by unanimous decision on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264, further extending her winning streak in the promotion.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Gomes compiled wins in Brazilian regional shows and in Invicta FC, where her third-round technical knockout of Milana Dudieva marked her international debut. These performances laid the groundwork for her eventual rise to the global stage of mixed martial arts.
Denise Gomes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no publicly verified information available regarding Denise Gomes’s family background, parents, or any racing lineage.
Personal Life
Denise Gomes currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she trains full-time for her UFC career. She has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse, partner, or children.
2025 Season Performance
Denise Gomes entered 2025 riding momentum from a strong finish to 2024, when her win over Karolina Kowalkiewicz pushed her into the UFC strawweight rankings. She opened the year with a high-profile matchup against Elise Reed, and her second-round technical knockout earned her another Performance of the Night bonus and a stronger position in the division.
Later in the year, Gomes faced Tecia Pennington at UFC Fight Night 264 on November 8, 2025, and secured a unanimous decision victory, extending her winning streak. These results helped her maintain her spot in the top 15 and positioned her for bigger fights in 2026, including a scheduled bout against Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night 284 on August 8, 2026.
With her ranking holding at No. 13 and her training base established in Las Vegas, Gomes enters the next phase of her career with confidence. Continued performances like her stoppage of Reed and her decision over Pennington suggest she is closing the gap on the division’s elite, and her upcoming matchup with Lemos represents a significant opportunity to climb closer to title contention.