Istela_Nunes Heroes1200x1165 600x583

Istela Nunes

Weight Limit
115.08 LBS / 52.2 KG
Height
5'4" FT / 163 CM
Country
Age
31 Y
Team
American Top Team / Team Nunes

About Istela Nunes

Status: Former ONE Athlete

Two-time Muay Thai World Champion Istela Nunes was born in Pau dos Ferros, a small industrial and agricultural town in Brazil’s northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. When she was just 5 years old, Nunes began training in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira, but switched to Muay Thai at the age of 10.

Nunes moved around Brazil extensively for her combat sports career, making tremendous sacrifices such as sleeping in the gym on mats and skipping meals. She eventually settled in Rio de Janeiro, and after a professional Muay Thai career that saw her go 52-4 with two world championships in Thailand, she walked away from the ring because of the lack of opportunities to compete.

She then took a normal job in Brazil and tried to adjust to civilian life, but lasted just five months before she was back in the gym, this time picking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu in pursuit of a new challenge – mixed martial arts. After going a perfect 5-0 upon her debut, Nunes earned a shot at Angela Lee’s ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship with a split decision win over Mei Yamaguchi in 2016. Although she fell short in her first ONE World Title challenge, she proved that she is indeed one of the best female martial artists in the world, and remains determined in her quest for glory.

ONE Championship Records

Event Results

Result Method Round Method and round Opponent Opponent and event Country Date Event
WIN
Unanimous Decision UD
R3
Unanimous Decision
R3
R3 Gina_Iniong avatar 500x345 1
Gina Iniong
Philippines
Philippines Jul 7, 2018
Battle For The Heavens
Jul 7, 2018
LOSS
Submission SUB
R2 (2:18)
Submission
R2 (2:18)
R2 (2:18) Angela_Lee avatar 500x345 3
Angela Lee
Singapore / United States
Dynasty Of Heroes
May 26, 2017
Singapore / United States May 26, 2017
Dynasty Of Heroes
May 26, 2017
WIN
Split Decision SD
R3 (5:00)
Split Decision
R3 (5:00)
R3 (5:00) Mei_Yamaguchi avatar 500x345 4
Mei Yamaguchi
Japan
Japan Aug 13, 2016
Heroes Of The World
Aug 13, 2016

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