| Randa Markos | |
|---|---|
| Born | Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas (1985-08-10)August 10, 1985 (age 40) Baghdad,[1] Iraq |
| Other names | Quiet Storm |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Strawweight |
| Reach | 63+1⁄2 in (161 cm) |
| Style | Wrestling,Jiu Jitsu |
| Fighting out of | Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Team | Maximum Training Centre (until 2014)[2] Tristar Gym (2015–2016)[3][4] Michigan Top Team (2014–2021)[5] Strongstyle Team Lutter (2021–present)[6] |
| Rank | Purple belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuunder Fábio Lima[7] |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 11 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 8 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 6 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas[8][9] (born August 10, 1985), more commonly known asRanda Markos, is anIraqi-born Canadian professionalmixed martial artist who competes in thestrawweight division. She most notably fought in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC),[10] where she was undefeated in her first three matches.[7]
Markos was born inBaghdad, Iraq in 1985 to an ethnicallyAssyrian[11][7] family ofChaldean Catholic religious background.[5] Her father was a business-owner who had been conscripted in theIraqi Armed Forces during theIran–Iraq War[5] and had made the decision to flee the country, but had separated from Markos and her family since he was targeted.[1] They traveled toTurkey and were allowed to stay inIstanbul for a year for visas, but were then sent to a prison camp near the border after failure to achieve paperwork.[12] They successfully escaped with the help of an aunt[5] and boarded a plane toCanada that same year before settling inWindsor, Ontario.[13]
While growing up, Markos enduredphysical abuse from her father, who was analcoholic.[1] She has stated that she sent him to jail at least five times. Her first interest in wrestling came when she was in high school, though her family insisted that she didn't take part in it,[13] forcing her to lie by saying she was going to volleyball practice.[12]
Markos earned her Pharmacy Assistant Diploma atTriOS College. She then worked as apharmacy technician in Windsor,[14] working in the field from 2009 until 2015.[4]
Markos made her pro MMA debut on November 17, 2012, at IFC 51 defeating Allanna Jones via third round armbar. She had begun mixed martial arts with no prior experience inJiu-jitsu.[15]
Markos compiled an unblemished 3–0 record making herRFA debut against future TUF 20 teammateJustine Kish.[16] Markos suffered her first loss that night via unanimous decision.
She quickly bounced back by defeating Lynnell House via armbar in the first round and capturing the PFC Strawweight title.[17]
Markos was among the final eight contestants that tried out for theTUF house, to join the 11Invicta FC strawweights that PresidentDana White had acquired.[18]
Markos was ranked #14 for Team Pettis, and was matched up against #3 rankedTecia Torres for the first fight of the season. Markos defeated Torres via decision after three rounds to give Team Pettis their first win.[19]
On the ninth episode, Markos was set to take onFelice 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 withCarla Esparza, who confronted Markos to try to get her to leave; Markos did not. She defeated Herrig via scarfhold armbar, in the first round.[20]
In the season finale, Markos was paired up againstRose Namajunas in the semifinal. Markos lost via first round submission.[21]
Markos made her promotional debut atThe Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, as part of Team Pettis[15] and taking on fellow semi-finalistJessica Penne.[22] She lost in a close split decision and was awarded Fight of the Night. She received praise from UFC president Dana White for her performance.[14]
Markos filled in for the injuredCláudia Gadelha atUFC 186, taking onAisling Daly.[23] She scored a takedown against Daly in the second and final rounds, and won via unanimous decision.[24] Later that year, Markos faced promotional newcomerKarolina Kowalkiewicz on December 19, 2015 atUFC on Fox 17.[25] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
Markos defeatedJocelyn Jones-Lybarger atUFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016, by unanimous decision.[27][28] In the same month, Markos took on Cortney Casey atUFC 202; she lost in the first round via armbar.[29]
Markos next facedCarla Esparza on February 19, 2017 atUFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne, having walked into fight with resentment since their interactions on TUF. She won the fight by split decision.[30] On August 5, 2017, Markos facedAlexa Grasso atUFC 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.[31] Markos lost the fight via split decision.[32]
Markos facedJuliana Lima on January 27, 2018 atUFC on Fox 27.[33] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[34] On July 28, 2018, Markos facedNina Ansaroff atUFC on Fox 30.[35] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36] Markos faced promotional newcomerMarina Rodriguez on September 22, 2018 atUFC Fight Night 137.[37] The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.[38]
Markos faced former TUF housemateAngela Hill on March 23, 2019 atUFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis.[39] She won the fight due to an armbar submission in the first round.[40] This win earned her thePerformance of the Night award.[41] On July 6, 2019, she facedCláudia Gadelha on atUFC 239.[9][42] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[43] Markos facedAshley Yoder on October 26, 2019 atUFC on ESPN+ 20.[44] She won the fight via split decision.[45]
Markos facedAmanda Ribas, replacing injuredPaige VanZant on March 14, 2020 atUFC Fight Night 170.[46] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[47][7] On September 19, 2020, Markos facedMackenzie Dern atUFC Fight Night 178.[48] She lost the fight via submission in the first round.[49] Markos faced promotional newcomerKanako Murata, replacing injuredLívia Renata Souza, on November 14, 2020 atUFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.[50] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[51]
Markos moved toTexas around 2021 to switch gyms due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[6] Markos was scheduled to faceLuana Pinheiro on March 27, 2021 atUFC 260.[52] However, she was removed from the card on March 18 aftertesting positive for COVID-19.[53] The bout was rescheduled for May 1, 2021 atUFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[54] Markos lost the bout via disqualification in the first round after accidentally upkicking Pinheiro in the head, resulting in Pinheiro being unable to continue.[55] She accused Pinheiro of faking the injury in order to force a disqualification win.[56]
Markos facedLívia Renata Souza on October 23, 2021 atUFC Fight Night 196.[57] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[58] After the fight, it was announced that her UFC contract was not renewed.[59]
Markos has family that live in other countries, namelyAustralia andCalifornia, having been split during the Iran-Iraq War.[13] She is married to Jeff Thomas, who is also an MMA fighter.[12]
| 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) | Provincial FC 2 | March 8, 2014 | 1 | 1:57 | London, Ontario, Canada | Won the inaugural PFC Strawweight Championship. |
| Loss | 3–1 | Justine Kish | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 12 | January 24, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kara Kirsh | Decision (unanimous) | Provincial FC 1 | 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) | Impact Fight League 51 | November 17, 2012 | 3 | 3:14 | Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States | Strawweight debut. |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 2 wins | 1 loss |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| 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 record breakdown | ||
| 6 matches | 4 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| 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 |
Ethnically Assyrian, Randa Markos is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
