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Yan Xiaonan returns to the Octagon against rising contender Denise Gomes in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 286 on Saturday at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China.
The strawweight matchup brings together an experienced former title challenger and a fighter riding one of the strongest winning streaks of her UFC career.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes Preview
Yan Xiaonan (19-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) will make her first UFC appearance in 16 months. The Chinese contender last competed in April 2025, when she suffered a defeat against Virna Jandiroba.
Xiaonan has lost two of her last three fights, a run that also includes her unsuccessful title challenge against then-champion Zhang Weili in April 2024.
Despite those setbacks, Xiaonan remains one of the most experienced and dangerous fighters in the strawweight division. Fighting in Shanghai also gives her the opportunity to return to winning ways in front of a home crowd.
Denise Gomes (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC), meanwhile, arrives with considerable momentum.
The Brazilian has won four consecutive fights and could secure the biggest victory of her career by defeating Xiaonan. Gomes most recently competed in November, earning a unanimous decision victory over Tecia Pennington.
Her current run has established her as a serious threat in the division, but Xiaonan represents a significant step up in experience and technical quality.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes Prediction
On paper, the matchup could be viewed as a classic crossroads fight, with the experienced Xiaonan attempting to stop the rise of a younger contender.
Gomes has enjoyed success against veteran opposition, but Xiaonan presents a different challenge.
The Chinese fighter remains an impressive athlete for the division and possesses the speed, footwork and boxing skills required to punish opponents who apply aggressive pressure. Her ability to land sharp lead punches and counters was particularly evident in her knockout victory over former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade.
Gomes brings aggression and physicality, but her defensive vulnerabilities could become a problem against a striker as experienced as Xiaonan.
The Brazilian can also become overly committed when closing the distance and occasionally forces grappling exchanges that leave her in difficult positions. Against Xiaonan's movement and counter-striking, those tendencies could prove costly.
Gomes should be competitive, particularly if she can maintain pressure and disrupt Xiaonan's rhythm, but the stylistic matchup appears to favor the former title challenger.
Prediction: Yan Xiaonan to win by unanimous decision.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes Odds
Yan Xiaonan enters the fight as the betting favorite.
According to FanDuel, the odds are:
Yan Xiaonan: -158
Denise Gomes: +128
The market therefore gives Xiaonan the edge, although the relatively close odds suggest Gomes is considered a legitimate threat.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes Start Time and How to Watch
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes is scheduled to serve as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 286 at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.
The fighters are expected to make their walk to the Octagon at approximately 8:10 a.m. ET, although the exact start time will depend on the length of the preceding fights.
UFC Fight Night 286 will stream live on Paramount+.
