A Leap of Faith for Denise Gomes

Denise Gomes recognized the need for a change and made her move.

Ahead of her latest assignment in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s strawweight division, the promising 24-year-old Brazilian left the comforts of Rio de Janeiro and relocated to Sao Paulo to join forces with Karol Rosa and former 115-pound titleholder Jessica Andrade. Gomes sees it as an opportunity for further growth. They call it Project GAEA.

“It’s a team put together by women, so we can have the power to choose what’s best for us,” she told Sherdog.com. “We have a lot of girls with us. We’re creating something new. Everything is coming along in the best and most honest form. I can finally train the way I’ve always wanted to. I know I have a promising future. I work hard all the time, and I’m confident things will work out. I have a network of people who help me.”

Gomes punched her ticket to the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022 and owns a 3-2 record across her five appearances inside the Octagon. She next faces Karolina Kowalkiewicz in the featured UFC Vegas 100 prelim this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. One of the strawweight division’s most experienced and accomplished competitors, Kowalkiewicz figures to test Gomes at every turn.

“I respect her,” Gomes said. “She has a beautiful history in the UFC. I can see that the promotion likes her. I can see that she’s both explosive and resilient, but I’m very focused on my game. Opponents come and go, but in the end, it’s just me. I’ll study her game and find shortcomings. I’ll exploit them. I’ll do my game and catch her when she tries hers. I’m a strong grappler. I know I’ll be able to put things into practice at the right moment.”

Gomes last competed at UFC on ESPN 57, where she took a split decision from Eduarda Moura in their three-round battle on June 8. She denied 21 of Moura’s 26 takedown attempts and outlanded her by a 137-27 margin. It served as another step forward for Gomes at 115 pounds.

“Everything I’ve gone through has prepared me for today,” she said. “I’ve been learning and evolving. I can feel it. I started fighting very young, but [in terms of] actual MMA training, it’s only been three to four years. I still have a lot to give and a lot to learn. I’m on the right path. If I haven’t reached all my goals, that means the moment hasn’t arrived yet.”