Randa Markos

Randa Markos
Randa Markos in 2017
BornRanda Cemil Markos
(1985-08-10) August 10, 1985 (age 39)
Baghdad,[1] Iraq
Other namesQuiet Storm
NationalityCanadian
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
DivisionStrawweight
Reach63+1⁄2 in (161 cm)
StyleWrestling, Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out ofWindsor, Ontario, Canada
TeamMaximum Training Centre (until 2014)[2]
Tristar Gym (2015–2016)[3][4]
Michigan Top Team (2014–2021)[5]
Strongstyle
Team Lutter (2021–present)[6]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fábio Lima[7]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins11
By submission4
By decision7
Losses11
By submission2
By decision8
By disqualification1
Draws1
Amateur record
Total6
Wins4
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision2
Losses2
By submission1
By decision1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas[8][9] (born August 10, 1985) is an Assyrian Iraqi-born Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the strawweight division. She most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Personal life

Markos was born in Iraq in 1985. She is ethnically Assyrian,[10][11][12] and her parents are of Chaldean Catholic religious background.[12] At the age of three, she and her family were held at gunpoint and imprisoned during the Iran-Iraq War for trying to escape Iraq. They successfully escaped and boarded a plane to Ontario, Canada that same year.[13]

Markos earned her Pharmacy Assistant Diploma at TriOS College. She then worked as a pharmacy technician at a pharmacy in Windsor.[14]

Mixed martial arts career

Markos made her pro MMA debut on November 17, 2012 at IFC 51 defeating Allanna Jones via third round armbar.

Markos compiled an unblemished 3–0 record making her RFA debut against future TUF 20 teammate Justine Kish.[15] Markos suffered her first loss that night via decision.

She quickly bounced back by defeating Lynnell House via armbar in the first round and capturing the PFC Strawweight title.[16]

The Ultimate Fighter

Markos was among the final eight contestants that tried out for the TUF house, to join the 11 Invicta FC strawweights that President Dana White had acquired.[17]

Markos was ranked #14 for Team Pettis, and was matched up against #3 ranked Tecia Torres for the first fight of the season. Markos defeated Torres via decision after three rounds to give Team Pettis their first win.[18]

On the ninth episode, Markos was set to take on Felice Herrig in the first quarterfinal match up. Tension began to build when several of the fighters wanted to train separately and have two sessions per day, one in the morning and one at night. Markos decided to appear at a morning practice, which didn't sit well with Carla Esparza, who confronted Markos to try to get her to leave; Markos did not. She defeated Herrig via scarfhold armbar, in the first round.[19]

In the last episode of the season, Markos was paired up against Rose Namajunas in the semifinal. Markos lost via first round submission.[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Markos made her promotional debut at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, taking on fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne.[21] She lost in a close split decision and was awarded Fight of the Night.

Markos filled in for the injured Cláudia Gadelha at UFC 186, taking on Aisling Daly.[22] She won via unanimous decision.[23]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Karolina Kowalkiewicz on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17.[24] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[25]

Markos defeated Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016, by unanimous decision.[26]

Markos took on Cortney Casey at UFC 202; she lost in the first round via armbar.[27]

Markos next faced Carla Esparza on February 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne. She won the fight by split decision.[28]

On August 5, 2017, Markos faced Alexa Grasso at UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno. Grasso came in at 119 lbs, three pounds over the strawweight limit, at weigh-ins, and was fined 20% of her purse, which went to Markos. The bout proceeded at a catchweight.[29] Markos lost the fight via split decision.[30]

Markos faced Juliana Lima on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox 27.[31] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Markos faced Nina Ansaroff on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30.[33] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[34]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez on September 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137.[35] The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.[36]

Markos faced Angela Hill on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis.[37] She won the fight due to an armbar submission in the first round.[38] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[39]

Markos faced Cláudia Gadelha on July 6, 2019 at UFC 239.[40] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[41]

Markos faced Ashley Yoder on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20.[42] She won the fight via split decision.[43]

Markos faced Amanda Ribas, replacing injured Paige VanZant on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[44] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[45]

Markos faced Mackenzie Dern on September 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178.[46] She lost the fight via submission in the first round.[47]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Kanako Murata, replacing injured Lívia Renata Souza, on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.[48] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

Markos was scheduled to face Luana Pinheiro on March 27, 2021 at UFC 260.[50] However, Markos was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19.[51] The bout was rescheduled for May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[52] Markos lost the bout via disqualification in the first round after accidentally upkicking Pinheiro in the head, resulting in Pinheiro being unable to continue.[53]

Markos faced Lívia Renata Souza on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196.[54] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[55]

After her last bout, it was announced that her UFC contract was not renewed.[56]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
23 matches 11 wins 11 losses
By submission 4 2
By decision 7 8
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 11–11–1 Lívia Renata Souza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori October 23, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–11–1 Luana Pinheiro DQ (illegal upkick) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka May 1, 2021 1 4:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–10–1 Kanako Murata Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos November 14, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–9–1 Mackenzie Dern Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley September 19, 2020 1 3:44 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–8–1 Amanda Ribas Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira March 14, 2020 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil
Win 10–7–1 Ashley Yoder Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren October 26, 2019 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 9–7–1 Cláudia Gadelha Decision (unanimous) UFC 239 July 6, 2019 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–6–1 Angela Hill Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis March 23, 2019 1 4:24 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Performance of the Night.
Draw 8–6–1 Marina Rodriguez Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders September 22, 2018 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Loss 8–6 Nina Ansaroff Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 July 28, 2018 3 5:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Win 8–5 Juliana Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 3 5:00 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Loss 7–5 Alexa Grasso Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno August 5, 2017 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico Catchweight (119 lb) bout; Grasso missed weight.
Win 7–4 Carla Esparza Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne February 19, 2017 3 5:00 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Loss 6–4 Cortney Casey Submission (armbar) UFC 202 August 20, 2016 1 4:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–3 Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson June 18, 2016 3 5:00 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Catchweight (117.5 lb) bout; Markos missed weight.
Loss 5–3 Karolina Kowalkiewicz Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 December 19, 2015 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 5–2 Aisling Daly Decision (unanimous) UFC 186 April 25, 2015 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 4–2 Jessica Penne Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale December 12, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 4–1 Lynnell House Submission (armbar) PFC 2: Fight Night March 8, 2014 1 1:57 London, Ontario, Canada Won the inaugural PFC Strawweight Championship.
Loss 3–1 Justine Kish Decision (unanimous) RFA 12: Ortega vs. Koch January 24, 2014 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 3–0 Kara Kirsh Decision (unanimous) PFC 1: Unrivaled October 26, 2013 3 5:00 London, Ontario, Canada
Win 2–0 Ashley Nichols Submission (armbar) Wreck MMA 2.0 March 28, 2013 1 3:06 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Catchweight (118 lb) bout.
Win 1–0 Allanna Jones Submission (armbar) IFL 51: No Guts, No Glory November 17, 2012 3 3:14 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

[59]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 2–1 Rose Namajunas Submission (kimura) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned December 10, 2014 (airdate) 1 2:44 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 20 Semifinal round
Win 2–0 Felice Herrig Submission (scarf-hold armlock) December 3, 2014 (airdate) 1 2:46 TUF 20 Quarterfinal round
Win 1–0 Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) November 5, 2014 (airdate) 3 5:00 TUF 20 Elimination round

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 4–2 Bernice Booth TKO (punches) XCC 64.5 - Battle at the Border 11 November 13, 2010 1 2:27 Port Huron, Michigan, United States
Win 3–2 Bernice Booth Submission (armbar) XCC 64 - Battle at the Border 10 August 28, 2010 2 1:31 Walpole Island, Ontario, Canada
Win 2–2 Alibeth Rall Milliron Decision (unanimous) IFL - Prepare for Impact May 8, 2010 3 3:00 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Loss 1–2 Kelly Warren Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL - Malice at the Palace January 30, 2010 2 2:35 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Loss 1–1 Kelly Warren Decision (unanimous) IFL - Righteous Rumble November 14, 2009 3 3:00 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win 1–0 Tanya Lohr Decision (unanimous) IFL - No Pain, No Gain September 19, 2009 3 3:00 Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States

See also

References

  1. ^ "Randa Markos' harrowing journey from Baghdad to the UFC". Mmafighting.com. 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2015-05-22.
  2. ^ Dalson Chen (September 18, 2014). "Fighting words with Windsor's Randa Markos: Ultimate Fighter Season 20, Episode 2". Windsor Star.
  3. ^ "Randa Markos moving to Tristar". tapology.com. 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  4. ^ Dalson Chen (October 9, 2015). "UFC fighter Randa Markos moves training to Montreal". Windsor Star.
  5. ^ Michael Huang (September 25, 2014). "Meet Randa Markos, the Iraqi refugee-turned-UFC fighter". xgames.com.
  6. ^ Lucas Grandsire. "Randa Markos is ready to get things back on track following a tough 2020". mymmanews.com.
  7. ^ @randamarkos (June 27, 2018). ""What a surprise today, getting my purple belt (...)"". Retrieved July 28, 2018 – via Instagram.
  8. ^ "Randa Markos ("Quiet Storm") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2015-05-22.
  9. ^ Mixed martial arts show results Date: July 6th, 2019
  10. ^ UFC Randa Markos Interview at Assyrian Fighters Night on YouTube
  11. ^ "Randa Markos: The Fighter With Most Peculiar Win/Loss Record In The History of UFC". Ethnically Chaldean, Randa Markos is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  12. ^ a b Huang, Michael (September 19, 2014). "Meet Randa Markos, the Assyrian Refugee-Turned-UFC Fighter". Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "RANDA MARKOS ON IMPRISONMENT, ABUSE, AND HER ROAD TO TUF 20". fightland.vice.com. 2014-10-29.
  14. ^ "Markos working towards UFC title shot in 2015". sportsnet.ca. 2015-01-02.
  15. ^ "Justine Kish Defeats Randa Markos Thomas At RFA 12 In L.A."
  16. ^ "Randa Markos wins inaugural PFC title". thelondoner.ca.
  17. ^ "Full 'TUF 20' cast revealed, includes eight new additions". mmajunkie.com. July 3, 2014.
  18. ^ "TUF 20 FULL FIGHT VIDEO, EPISODE 1: RANDA MARKOS VS. TECIA TORRES". mmaweekly.com.
  19. ^ "'TUF 20' RECAP: EPISODE 9". sherdog.com.
  20. ^ "TUF 20 results and recap for Ep. 12: Carla Esparza vs. Jessica Penne and Rose Namajunas vs. Randa Markos". mmamania.com.
  21. ^ "Jessica Penne meets Randa Markos at The Ultimate Fighter Finale". foxsports.com.
  22. ^ "With Claudia Gadelha Out, Aisling Daly Draws Randa Markos at UFC 186". mmaweekly.com.
  23. ^ "UFC 186 results: Randa Markos gets the best of Aisling Daly". mmafighting.com.
  24. ^ "Randa Markos takes on debuting Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC on FOX 17". mmafighting.com.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-12-19). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Karolina Kowalkiewicz outworks Randa Markos for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  26. ^ Robert Sargent (2016-04-22). "Randa Markos Faces Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger At UFC Fight Night 89". mmarising.com.
  27. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-08-20). "UFC 202 results: Cortney Casey taps Randa Markos with first-round armbar". mmajunkie.com.
  28. ^ "UFC Fight Night 105's Randa Markos: Victory speech on bullying directed at Carla Esparza". MMAjunkie. 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
  29. ^ "Video: Alexa Grasso misses weight for UFC Fight Night 114 co-headliner with Randa Markos". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  30. ^ "UFC Fight Night 114 results: Alexa Grasso narrowly beats Randa Markos by decision". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  31. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Randa Markos vecht tegen Juliana Lima tijdens UFC on FOX 27 in Charlotte". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  32. ^ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Randa Markos back on track with decision over Juliana Lima". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  33. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Randa Markos treft Nina Ansaroff tijdens UFC on FOX 30 in Calgary". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  34. ^ "UFC on FOX 30 results: Nina Ansaroff rallies for decision win over Randa Markos". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  35. ^ Marcel Dorff (2018-08-23). "Unbeaten UFC debutante Marina Rodriguez meets Randa Markos during UFC São Paulo" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  36. ^ "UFC Sao Paulo results: Randa Markos, Marina Rodriguez battle to hard-fought majority draw". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  37. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (20 January 2019). "Several bouts announced for UFC Nashville, including Curtis Blaydes vs. Justin Willis". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  38. ^ "UFC Nashville results: Randa Markos scores beautiful submission win over Angela Hill". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  39. ^ "UFC Nashville bonuses: Anthony Pettis rewarded for early Knockout of the Year candidate". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  40. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Strawweightclash tussen Claudia Gadelha en Randa Markos tijdens UFC 239 in Las Vegas" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  41. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-07-06). "UFC 239 Results: Gadelha Defeats Markos In Lackluster Affair". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  42. ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2019-09-26). "With Yan Xiaonan out, Randa Markos steps in to fight Ashley Yoder at UFC on ESPN+ 20". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  43. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-10-26). "UFC Singapore Results: Randa Markos Takes Close Split Decision Against Ashley Yoder". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  44. ^ Jay Pettry. "Report: Paige VanZant Out, Randa Markos In Against Amanda Ribas at UFC Brasilia". sherdog.com. Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  45. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Amanda Ribas Dominates Randa Markos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  46. ^ "Ultimate marca Mackenzie Dern x Randa Markos para o UFC 253, no dia 19 de setembro". Globoesporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  47. ^ Galloway, Ryan (September 19, 2020). "Mackenzie Dern Submits Randa Markos via Armbar In Round One". LowKick MMA. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  48. ^ Jamal Boussenaf (2020-11-05). "Randa Markos is de nieuwe tegenstandster van Kanako Murata". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  49. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-11-14). "UFC Vegas 14 Results: Kanako Murata Victorious in Octagon Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  50. ^ Farah Hannoun (2021-03-05). "Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro added to UFC 260". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  51. ^ Evelyn Rodrigues and Raphael Marinho (2021-03-18). "Randa Markos off UFC 260 for covid-19 protocol and Luana Pinheiro waits for a new rival". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2021-03-18. (in Portuguese)
  52. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2021-03-22). "Randa Markos vs. Luana Pinheiro set for May 1 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  53. ^ "UFC on ESPN 23 results: Randa Markos disqualified for illegal upkick on Luana Pinheiro". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  54. ^ "Livinha Souza encara Randa Markos no UFC do dia 23 de outubro, em Las Vegas". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  55. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-23). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Randa Markos Snaps Skid Against Livia Renata Souza". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  56. ^ Martin, Damon (2021-11-10). "Randa Markos no longer on UFC roster following completion of her contract". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  57. ^ "UFC Nashville bonuses: Anthony Pettis rewarded for early Knockout of the Year candidate". mmafighting.com. March 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  58. ^ Mike Bohn (October 20, 2021). "UFC Fight Night 196 pre-event facts: Paulo Costa's stats still strong after title-fight loss". MMAjunkie.com.
  59. ^ Sherdog.com. "Randa". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-10-26.