UFC Shanghai: Denise Gomes crushes Yan Xiaonan with knockout elbow in Round 1

Denise Gomes delivered a statement victory in the UFC Shanghai strawweight co-main event, knocking out veteran Yan Xiaonan with a perfectly timed elbow strike to extend her winning streak to five consecutive victories. The Brazilian striker's dominant performance against one of the division's most experienced competitors has positioned her prominently in the title picture at 115 pounds.

Gomes, 26, showed no hesitation against Yan, a former UFC strawweight title challenger, immediately establishing herself as the aggressor and welcoming the striking exchange. Her patience and timing proved decisive when, with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first round, Gomes caught Yan stepping forward with an elbow that sent the Chinese veteran reeling. Two hard follow-up punches sealed the finish at the 4:49 mark.

With this victory, Gomes now holds the longest active win streak in the UFC strawweight division at five straight wins, breaking a tie with defending champion Mackenzie Dern and rising contender Fatima Kline. The accomplishment significantly boosts her credentials as a title challenger. When asked about her next opponent in the post-fight interview, Gomes showed confidence in her standing, stating she is "ready for whoever the UFC brings to me" rather than issuing a specific callout. Her statement win and extended streak make her a leading candidate to challenge for the strawweight title in the coming months.