Istela Nunes

Istela Nunes is a 32-year-old Brazilian striker competing in the UFC women's strawweight division with a 6-6 professional record. Born in Pau dos Ferros and trained by her father from childhood, she built her early reputation in Muay Thai, earning two Brazilian national titles and four Sao Paulo regional championships before turning pro in 2010. Her striking credentials were substantial, but her transition to the UFC has proven inconsistent.

Nunes made her octagon debut in October 2021 against Ariane Carnelossi, suffering a third-round submission loss that set the tone for a difficult tenure. A five-fight skid followed, including two brutal first-round finishes: a 34-second TKO to Viktoriia Dudakova in July 2023 and a second-round stoppage by Yazmin Jauregui in December 2022. These early exits exposed gaps in her defensive wrestling and head movement against faster, explosive opponents.

As a fighter, Nunes is a pure standing striker who operates out of American Top Team. Her fight statistics reveal a preference for distance work: 89% of her significant strikes land at range, and she defends opponent strikes at a respectable 60% rate. However, she has finished only two opponents by KO/TKO across her UFC run, suggesting difficulty closing out rounds or adjusting when opponents pressure her. Her grappling remains underdeveloped (0% takedowns per 15 minutes, 48% takedown defense), a liability at strawweight where wrestling dictates many bouts.

A potential turning point arrived in April 2025 when Nunes defeated Loma Lookboonmee via unanimous decision across three rounds, halting her losing streak and providing evidence that she can outpoint opponents over distance. At 32 with a .500 record, she remains an active UFC competitor fighting for stability in a crowded strawweight division, relying on the kicking and hand speed that made her a champion in Muay Thai.