Denise Gomes vs. Elise Reed Added to UFC Fight Night 256

The UFC has officially added a compelling strawweight clash to its UFC Fight Night 256 lineup, scheduled for May 17 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Denise Gomes (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will face Elise Reed (8-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) in what promises to be a high-stakes battle as both fighters look to climb the ranks in the competitive strawweight division.

Elise Reed (8-4) vs. Denise Gomes (10-3) is set for #UFCVegas106 on May 17 in Las Vegas, per multiple sources. Story headed to @MMAjunkie. pic.twitter.com/HziFWzHiyk

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 7, 2025

A Rising Star on the Hunt for More Wins

At just 25 years old, Denise Gomes has been making waves in the UFC with her impressive performances. The Brazilian fighter, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, has won four of her last five bouts, showcasing her ability to adapt and thrive against tough competition. Her most recent victory came against former strawweight champion Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC Fight Night 247 last November, where she displayed sharp striking and relentless pressure to secure a unanimous decision win.

Denise Gomes defeats Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision in the featured prelim of #UFCVegas100 pic.twitter.com/H4eRx7vBRe

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 10, 2024

Gomes also holds a notable win over Eduarda Moura, demonstrating her versatility in handling opponents with different styles. With back-to-back victories under her belt, Gomes is riding a wave of momentum heading into this matchup. She’ll be looking to further solidify her position as a rising contender in the division and prove that she’s ready for bigger challenges on the road to title contention.

A Fighter Who Refuses to Back Down

Elise Reed has had an up-and-down run since joining the UFC roster in 2021, alternating wins and losses over her eight fights with the promotion. Despite this inconsistency, Reed has shown resilience and determination each time she steps into the cage. After suffering a submission loss to Loopy Godinez at UFC Fight Night 227, Reed rebounded strongly with a unanimous decision victory over veteran Jessica Penne last October.

💥 Back in the win column! 🇺🇸 Elise Reed secured a big win over former strawweight title challenger Jessica Penne at #UFCVegas99. Dominating the final two rounds, Reed displayed sharp striking. Here’s a look at the closing moments of the fight as she sealed the victory. 🔥🥊… pic.twitter.com/WcseKDz6Hx

— Women’s MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) October 20, 2024

As a former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder, Reed brings championship experience and grit to every bout. Her ability to bounce back from setbacks makes her a dangerous opponent who can’t be underestimated. Against Gomes, Reed will aim to break her pattern of alternating results and secure consecutive wins for the first time in her UFC career.

The matchup also adds depth to an already intriguing UFC Fight Night 256 card, which features exciting bouts such as Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig and Tecia Pennington vs. Luana Pinheiro. Fans can expect fireworks when these two determined fighters collide at the Apex.

With contrasting styles and plenty of motivation on both sides, Denise Gomes vs. Elise Reed is shaping up to be one of the must-watch fights on May 17. Whether it’s Gomes continuing her ascent or Reed finding her stride, this bout is sure to deliver action-packed moments that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.