Denise Gomes planted herself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s strawweight division seven months ago, but her roots have not yet taken hold.

The Parana Vale Tudo standout will seek her first win inside the Octagon when she takes on Bruna Brasil as part of the UFC on ESPN 44 undercard on Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Gomes traveled a familiar road to the UFC, making stops on the Brazilian regional scene, in Invicta Fighting Championships and Dana White’s Contender Series before she arrived in the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“In each organization, I was able to show who I am,” she told Sherdog.com. “I have heart, but I’m also humble. I fight hard, regardless of the outcome. My feet are on the ground. My head is held high. I have nothing against my opponents. It’s all about me. There are strong emotions when I see myself on the big screen or see myself on video later. It’s like waking up in your own dream. I’m living my dream. I have to remind myself this is actually happening, even in losses.”

Gomes came up short in her promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 210, where she stepped in as a short-notice replacement for Diana Belbita and dropped a unanimous decision to Konklak Suphisara on Sept. 17.

“I was sad at first,” she said. “Later, I saw things with clearer eyes. It was all for me to learn from. No one wants to lose, but we have to turn those things into positives. Losing is heartbreaking, but I never felt my dream was over. I showed a lot of what I can do in my UFC debut. Despite the late notice, I fought my heart out. I credit my opponent for her win, but I also credit myself. I’m proud.”

The 23-year-old Gomes has no regrets about accepting the bout under less-than-ideal circumstances and believes the experience can only benefit her in the long run.

“It was the right time for me to fight,” she said.

Brasil has rattled off seven consecutive victories, five of them finishes. “The Special One” punched her ticket to the UFC in September, when she wrecked Marnic Mann with a second-round head kick on Week 8 of DWCS. Gomes sense an opportunity.

“I’m focusing on what I do best and on what I’ll do once the cage door shuts,” she said. “I saw Bruna’s last bout. I think her opponent wasn’t as hard as I am. I think I’ll be much tougher. I don’t see anything that scares me. I don’t think she can surprise me. I’m studying her, but I’m mostly focused on myself. It’s her UFC debut. I respect her. I’m sure she doesn’t want to lose, but I’ll do everything I can to beat her. I look forward to a war. I’m hoping for that.”

Gomes views the encounter as an important next step in her growth.

“I plan to keep improving and feeling more comfortable in the UFC,” she said. “I want to have increasingly better opponents and represent my team to the best of my ability. I want to show my full potential in the UFC.”