Randa Markos Explained

Randa Markos
Other Names:Quiet Storm
Birth Name:Randa Cemil Markos
Birth Date:10 August 1985
Dogs Name:Oreo Quiet Storm Markos
Birth Place:Baghdad,[1] Iraq
Nationality:Canadian
Ethnicity:Chaldean
Weight Lb:115
Weight Class:Strawweight
Reach In:63+1/2
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 in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fábio Lima[7]
Years Active:2009–present
Mma Subwin:4
Mma Decwin:7
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:8
Mma Draw:1
Mma Dqloss:1
Am Win:4
Am Kowin:1
Am Subwin:1
Am Decwin:2
Am Loss:2
Am Subloss:1
Am Decloss:1
Sherdog:75417

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] and her parents are of Chaldean Catholic religious background.[11] 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.[12]

Markos earned her Pharmacy Assistant Diploma at TriOS College. She then worked as a pharmacy technician at a pharmacy in Windsor.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

In the last episode of the season, Markos was paired up against Rose Namajunas in the semifinal. Markos lost via first round submission.[19]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Markos made her promotional debut at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, taking on fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne.[20] 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.[21] She won via unanimous decision.[22]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Karolina Kowalkiewicz on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17.[23] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[24]

Markos defeated Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016, by unanimous decision.[25]

Markos took on Cortney Casey at UFC 202; she lost in the first round via armbar.[26]

Markos next faced Carla Esparza on February 19, 2017 at . She won the fight by split decision.[27]

On August 5, 2017, Markos faced Alexa Grasso at . 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.[28] Markos lost the fight via split decision.[29]

Markos faced Juliana Lima on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox 27.[30] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Markos faced Nina Ansaroff on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30.[32] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[33]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez on September 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137.[34] The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.[35]

Markos faced Angela Hill on March 23, 2019 at .[36] She won the fight due to an armbar submission in the first round.[37] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[38]

Markos faced Cláudia Gadelha on July 6, 2019 at UFC 239.[39] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[40]

Markos faced Ashley Yoder on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20.[41] She won the fight via split decision.[42]

Markos faced Amanda Ribas, replacing injured Paige VanZant on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[43] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[44]

Markos faced Mackenzie Dern on September 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178.[45] She lost the fight via submission in the first round.[46]

Markos faced promotional newcomer Kanako Murata, replacing injured Lívia Renata Souza, on November 14, 2020 at .[47] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[48]

Markos was scheduled to face Luana Pinheiro on March 27, 2021 at UFC 260.[49] However, Markos was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19.[50] The bout was rescheduled for May 1, 2021 at .[51] Markos lost the bout via disqualification in the first round after accidentally upkicking Pinheiro in the head, resulting in Pinheiro being unable to continue.[52]

Markos faced Lívia Renata Souza on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196.[53] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[54]

After her last bout, it was announced that her UFC contract was not renewed.[55]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center||Lívia Renata Souza|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center||Luana Pinheiro|DQ (illegal upkick)|||align=center|1|align=center|4:16 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center||Kanako Murata|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–9–1|Mackenzie Dern|Submission (armbar)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:44|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–8–1|Amanda Ribas|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Brasília, Brazil||-|Win|align=center|10–7–1|Ashley Yoder|Decision (split)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Kallang, Singapore| |-|Loss|align=center|9–7–1|Cláudia Gadelha|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 239 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–6–1|Angela Hill| Submission (armbar)| ||align=center|1|align=center|4:24|Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-|Draw|align=center|8–6–1|Marina Rodriguez|Draw (majority)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|São Paulo, Brazil||-|Loss|align=center|8–6|Nina Ansaroff|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Calgary, Alberta, Canada||-|Win|align=center|8–5|Juliana Lima|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|7–5|Alexa Grasso|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|7–4|Carla Esparza|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|6–4|Cortney Casey|Submission (armbar)|UFC 202||align=center|1|align=center|4:34|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–3|Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Ottawa, Ontario, Canada||-|Loss|align=center| 5–3|Karolina Kowalkiewicz|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Orlando, Florida, United States||-| Win|align=center| 5–2|Aisling Daly|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 186|April 25, 2015|align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montreal, Quebec, Canada||-| Loss|align=center| 4–2| Jessica Penne| Decision (split)||December 12, 2014|align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win|align=center| 4–1| Lynnell House| Submission (armbar)|PFC 2: Fight Night|March 8, 2014|align=center|1|align=center|1:57|London, Ontario, Canada||-| Loss|align=center| 3–1| Justine Kish| Decision (unanimous)|RFA 12: Ortega vs. Koch|January 24, 2014|align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Los Angeles, California, United States||-| Win|align=center| 3–0| Kara Kirsh| Decision (unanimous)|PFC 1: Unrivaled|October 26, 2013|align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, Ontario, Canada||-| Win|align=center| 2–0| Ashley Nichols| Submission (armbar)|Wreck MMA 2.0|March 28, 2013|align=center|1|align=center|3:06|Gatineau, Quebec, Canada||-| Win|align=center| 1–0| Allanna Jones| Submission (armbar)|IFL 51: No Guts, No Glory|November 17, 2012|align=center|3|align=center|3:14|Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States||-[58]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|-|Loss|align=center|2–1| Rose Namajunas| Submission (kimura) | rowspan=3|| (airdate)|align=center|1|align=center|2:44| rowspan=3|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0| Felice Herrig| Submission (scarf-hold armlock)| (airdate)|align=center|1|align=center|2:46||-|Win|align=center|1–0| Tecia Torres| Decision (unanimous)| (airdate)|align=center|3|align=center|5:00|

Amateur mixed martial arts record

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

See also

Notes and References

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

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Randa Markos".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.