Tecia Pennington vs Denise Gomes Fight Analysis
Get ready for an electrifying Women’s Strawweight showdown when Tecia Pennington takes on Denise Gomes on Saturday, November 8, 2025. This pivotal clash kicks off at 9:00 PM ET on the Preliminary Card of UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brown, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fight Overview
In this highly anticipated matchup:
- Event: UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brown
- Date & Time: November 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET (Prelims)
- Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Weight Class: Women’s Strawweight (115 lbs)
- Stage: Preliminary Card
Fighters to Watch
Denise Gomes (Blue Corner)
- Country: Brazil
- UFC Rank: #15 Women’s Strawweight
- Record: 11–3–0 (7 KOs)
- Age: 25
- Physicals: 5'2" with a 63" reach
- Fighting Style: Well-rounded MMA striker with finishing power
Gomes enters as the favorite on most sportsbooks, listed at around -205 (BetOnline.ag) to -210 (Bovada) in the latest head-to-head odds. Riding an impressive three-fight winning streak—highlighted by a devastating second-round TKO of Elise Reed in May 2025—Gomes has showcased knockout prowess and improved takedown efficiency (37% accuracy, 67% defense). Her 51% significant strike accuracy and equal defense percentage make her a dual threat on the feet and in wrestling exchanges.
Tecia Pennington (Red Corner)
- Country: United States
- UFC Rank: #13 Women’s Strawweight
- Record: 15–7–0 (1 KO, 1 Sub)
- Age: 36
- Physicals: 5'1" with a 60.5" reach
- Fighting Style: Technical kickboxer with veteran savvy
Despite her veteran status and a three-fight winning run—capped by a unanimous decision over Luana Pinheiro—Pennington is the underdog, pegged at +175 odds on both BetOnline.ag and Bovada. Known for her durable chin, high-output striking (48% accuracy), and strong takedown defense (62%), Pennington has gone the distance in 13 of her 22 UFC appearances. She’ll need to leverage her experience against a younger, powerful opponent if she hopes to defy the odds.
Key Betting Angles
- Favorite vs. Underdog: Gomes is favored by bookmakers, suggesting she enters with momentum and finishing potential.
- Experience vs. Youth: Pennington’s thirteen years of professional competition could neutralize Gomes’s explosive style.
- Striking Battles: Both fighters prefer to stay standing—expect a high-volume striking battle that could favor who maintains composure under fire.
This Tecia Pennington vs Denise Gomes fight promises fireworks in the Women’s Strawweight division. Whether you’re here for a detailed fight breakdown, a betting preview, or simply to witness two strawweight contenders collide, this preliminary showdown at the UFC APEX is one you won’t want to miss.
Live odds
Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Tecia Pennington vs Denise Gomes can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Bonfim vs Brown can be found on the Bonfim vs Brown event page.
Matchup and Fighter Profiles
As the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brown approaches, the Women’s Strawweight clash between Denise Gomes and Tecia Pennington offers a study in contrasts—youthful power versus seasoned technique. Below, we break down each fighter’s background, recent form, and the statistical strengths and weaknesses that will decide this bout.
Denise Gomes: The Rising Brazilian Knockout Artist
Age: 25
Country: Brazil
Fighting Style: Well-rounded MMA striker with heavy hands and improving wrestling
UFC Rank: #15 Women’s Strawweight
Record: 11–3–0 (7 KOs, 0 submissions)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)
- Win – KO/TKO (Elise Reed) – Round 2, 0:30 (May 2025)
- Win – Decision (Karolina Kowalkiewicz) – Unanimous (Nov 2024)
- Win – Decision (Eduarda Moura) – Split (Jun 2024)
- Loss – Decision (Angela Hill) – Unanimous (Nov 2023)
- Win – KO/TKO (Yazmin Jauregui) – Round 1, 0:20 (Jul 2023)
Statistical Strengths
- Knockout Power: 7 of her 11 UFC victories come by KO/TKO, underlining her one-punch finishing ability.
- Striking Accuracy (51%): Lands over half her significant strikes, making her dangerous in exchanges.
- Takedown Defense (67%): Strong against wrestling, minimizing time on her back.
Areas for Vulnerability
- Strike Defense (51%): Concedes as many significant strikes as she lands—can be hittable in high-pace battles.
- Submission Game (0%): No wins via submission; if taken down, she lacks ground-finishing threats.
- Experience Against Veterans: Her lone losses and tough decisions have come versus seasoned opponents (e.g., Angela Hill).
Tecia Pennington: The Seasoned American Technician
Age: 36
Country: United States
Fighting Style: Technical kickboxer with crisp combinations and fight-IQ
UFC Rank: #13 Women’s Strawweight
Record: 15–7–0 (1 KO, 1 Sub)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)
- Win – Decision (Luana Pinheiro) – Unanimous (May 2025)
- Win – Decision (Carla Esparza) – Unanimous (Oct 2024)
- Loss – Decision (Tabatha Ricci) – Split (May 2024)
- Loss – Decision (Mackenzie Dern) – Split (Apr 2022)
- Win – Decision (Angela Hill) – Unanimous (Aug 2021)
Statistical Strengths
- Striking Defense (62%): One of the division’s best at avoiding significant strikes.
- Takedown Defense (62%): Neutralizes wrestling threats effectively, often keeping fights standing.
- Fight Experience: 22 UFC appearances grant her elite fight-IQ and composure under pressure.
Areas for Vulnerability
- Finishing Rate: Only two finishes in 22 fights (1 KO, 1 Sub); rarely ends fights early.
- Takedown Offense (14%): Lacks offensive wrestling threat, limiting her ability to change levels.
- Age & Pace: At 36, her 13:56 average fight time suggests long outings—may struggle if pressured by a younger, harder-hitting foe.
Head-to-Head Dynamics
- Power vs. Precision: Gomes’s heavy hands clash with Pennington’s elusive defense.
- Youthful Aggression vs. Veteran Savvy: Can Pennington’s experience neutralize Gomes’s finishing instincts?
- Wrestling Exchanges: Both defend takedowns well, but Gomes offers a more consistent offensive threat.
This bout is a fascinating collision of styles and careers. Will Gomes’s knockout artistry prevail, or will Pennington’s technical mastery and veteran poise carry the day? Stay tuned for an all-out war under the bright lights of the UFC APEX.
Betting Odds and Line Movement
As fight night approaches, the wagering markets have clearly positioned Denise Gomes as the favorite and Tecia Pennington as the underdog. Below, we break down the current lines, historical shifts, best books to target, and what a $1,000 bet looks like on each fighter—plus their implied win probabilities.
Current Betting Odds
| Fighter | BetOnline.ag | Bovada | |---------------------|--------------|----------| | Denise Gomes | -205 | -210 | | Tecia Pennington| +175 | +175 |
- Favorite: Denise Gomes (≈-205)
- Underdog: Tecia Pennington (+175)
- Best Odds for Favorite: BetOnline.ag at -205 (over Bovada’s -210)
- Best Odds for Underdog: Both books mirror each other at +175
Line Movement Analysis
Denise Gomes
- Oct 27 (04:19 AM): -200 (BetOnline)
- Oct 28 (08:29 AM): -205 (BetOnline)
- Oct 28 (08:30 AM): -210 (Bovada)
Gomes has ticked slightly more favored on BetOnline, moving from -200 to -205 within 24 hours—a minor adjustment indicating modest confidence from early bettors and sharp money.
Tecia Pennington
- Oct 27 (04:19 AM): +170 (BetOnline)
- Oct 28 (08:29 AM): +175 (BetOnline)
- Oct 28 (08:30 AM): +175 (Bovada)
Pennington drifted from +170 to +175, suggesting a touch of money backing the favorite and a small shift in public perception. Overall, line swings remain modest—no dramatic promo-driven or publicity-fueled reversals here.
Best Sportsbook to Bet On
- Denise Gomes (Favorite): BetOnline.ag at -205 offers the slightly juicier line compared to Bovada’s -210.
- Tecia Pennington (Underdog): Both BetOnline.ag and Bovada post identical +175, so shop either based on bonuses or ease of access.
Payouts and Implied Probabilities
| Fighter | Odds | $1,000 Bet Return* | Implied Win %** | |---------------------|--------|--------------------|-----------------| | Denise Gomes | -205 | $1,487.80 | ~67% | | Tecia Pennington| +175 | $2,750.00 | ~36% |
*Includes original stake.
**Based on current moneyline, accounting for vig.
- Betting $1,000 on Denise Gomes at -205 would net a profit of approximately $487.80, returning $1,487.80 total.
- Betting $1,000 on Tecia Pennington at +175 would yield a profit of $1,750, for a total return of $2,750.
Key Takeaways
- Line Stability: No huge overnight swings—both fighters’ lines have moved within a tight range (±5–10 points).
- Sharp vs. Public: Slight lean on the favorite suggests early sharp action on Gomes, while the drift on Pennington indicates public hesitation.
- Value Bets: If you believe in Gomes’s finishing power and recent momentum, BetOnline’s -205 is the best ticket. For a homer play on Pennington’s veteran savvy, +175 at either book maximizes your upside.
Whether you back the Brazilian knockout artist or the seasoned American technician, understanding these lines and their history gives you a betting edge heading into UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs Brown. Good luck, and wager responsibly!
AI Pick: Denise Gomes
Click the buttons below to read more about why the AI picked Denise Gomes, or see all the AI picks for Bonfim vs Brown. Our AI is trained on our fight data and picks winners for every fight. You can track all the picks, accuracy, and profit for free on our ai-picks page.
