UFC fighter Istela Nunes suffers nasty elbow injury in strawweight bout

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

UFC strawweight fighter Istela Nunes made her fourth appearance for the company on Saturday night in a fight against Victoria Dudakova at UFC Vegas 77 but it did not end with her arm being raised.

About 30 seconds into the fight, Dudakova went for a takedown of Nunes. The Brazilian fighter fell backward to the mat and landed on her elbow. Nunes shrieked in pain and grabbed her left elbow as the referee inside the Octagon checked on her.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Istela Nunes reacts after an elbow injury in her women's strawweight fight against Viktoriia Dudakova during the UFC Fight Night at UFC APEX on July 15, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Those watching from outside the cage could be seen putting their hands over their heads in disbelief about the gruesomeness of the injury.

Later, UFC president Dana White showed an X-ray of Nunes' arm. The photo appeared to show a clean break at the elbow.

"I have a lot of messages. Thank you all so much for your support and love," Nunes wrote on social media afterward. "I will respond to everyone when I get home. Thank you to all my fans.

"I felt very good and very strong. I prepared a lot for this fight. I knew today was my night, this was my fight. But I will come back stronger and show you all again. Thank you UFC and thank you Dana White."

TYSON FURY AND FRANCIS NGANNOU WILL FIGHT IN OCTOBER IN SAUDI ARABIA

Istela Nunes poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on July 14, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Dudakova was given the win via an injury TKO. It marked the fourth