​Yan Xiaonan faces a daunting test if she hopes to remain in the running for the strawweight title as she prepares to battle top contender Denise Gomes at UFC Shanghai. The UFC revealed on Wednesday that Yan (19-5, 1 NC) will collide with Gomes (12-3) in the co-main event of the promotion’s card set for Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China on August 29. The headlining bout will feature Umar Nurmagomedov taking on Song Yadong in a bantamweight showdown.
Currently ranked No. 5 in the strawweight division by the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Yan Xiaonan is returning to action for the first time in more than a year after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Virna Jandiroba in April 2025. After an impressive 6-0 start to her UFC tenure, Yan has endured mixed results, posting a 3-4 record over her last seven appearances, including a setback in a title fight against Zhang Weili. Despite the recent bumps, Yan has secured notable victories over reigning strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern and former champion Jessica Andrade, underscoring her championship pedigree and continued threat at 115 pounds.
Denise Gomes, meanwhile, is riding one of the hottest streaks in the division. The rising star has rattled off four consecutive wins, and she most recently earned a unanimous decision victory over Tecia Pennington last November. Gomes’ momentum has positioned her as a serious challenger for Yan Xiaonan and a potential future title contender in the deeply competitive strawweight division.
In addition to the Yan-Gomes showdown, UFC Shanghai will feature another compelling bout: Rei Tsuruya, a top flyweight prospect at 11-1, is slated to face Kevin Borjas, who enters off a notable upset of the previously undefeated Andre Lima. Borjas brings recent momentum into the matchup, while Tsuruya looks to keep climbing the ranks in a stacked 125-pound division.
As the event draws near, fans and analysts are weighing Yan Xiaonan’s chances against Gomes and considering how the outcome could shift the balance of power within one of women’s MMA’s most competitive weight classes. Yan’s experience and resilience will be tested against Gomes’s momentum and finishing ability, creating a pivotal crossroads in the strawweight title picture. The Shanghai card on August 29 promises plenty of intrigue, with a mix of established veterans and rising stars vying for position in the UFC’s global lineup.