Randa Markos

Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas (born August 10, 1985), more commonly known as Randa Markos, is an Iraqi-born Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the strawweight division. She most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she was undefeated in her first three matches.

While growing up, Markos endured physical abuse from her father, who was an alcoholic. working in the field from 2009 until 2015. 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.

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.

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.

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.

In the season finale, Markos was paired up against Rose Namajunas in the semifinal. Markos lost via first round submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Markos made her promotional debut at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, as part of Team Pettis and taking on fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne. 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. She scored a takedown against Daly in the second and final rounds, and won via unanimous decision. Later that year, Markos faced promotional newcomer Karolina Kowalkiewicz on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Markos defeated Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 18, 2016, by unanimous decision. In the same month, Markos took on Cortney Casey at UFC 202; she lost in the first round via armbar.

Markos next faced Carla Esparza on February 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne, having walked into fight with resentment since their interactions on TUF. She won the fight by split decision. 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. Markos lost the fight via split decision.

Markos faced Juliana Lima on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox 27. She won the fight via unanimous decision. On July 28, 2018, Markos faced Nina Ansaroff at UFC on Fox 30. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Markos faced promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez on September 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137. The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.

Markos faced former TUF housemate Angela Hill on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis. She won the fight due to an armbar submission in the first round. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award. On July 6, 2019, she faced Cláudia Gadelha on at UFC 239. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Markos faced Ashley Yoder on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20. She won the fight via split decision.

Markos faced Amanda Ribas, replacing injured Paige VanZant on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. She lost the fight via submission in the first round. Markos faced promotional newcomer Kanako Murata, replacing injured Lívia Renata Souza, on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Markos moved to Texas around 2021 to switch gyms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19. The bout was rescheduled for May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka. Markos lost the bout via disqualification in the first round after accidentally upkicking Pinheiro in the head, resulting in Pinheiro being unable to continue. She accused Pinheiro of faking the injury in order to force a disqualification win.

Markos faced Lívia Renata Souza on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196. She won the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight, it was announced that her UFC contract was not renewed.

Personal life Markos has family that live in other countries, namely Australia and California, having been split during the Iran-Iraq War.

Championships and achievements Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Jessica Penne Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Angela Hill Fourth most bouts in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (18) Provincial Fighting Championships Provincial FC Strawweight Title (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Lívia Renata Souza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Luana Pinheiro DQ (illegal upkick) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kanako Murata Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Mackenzie Dern Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Amanda Ribas Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Win

Ashley Yoder Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren

Kallang, Singapore Loss

Cláudia Gadelha Decision (unanimous) UFC 239

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Angela Hill Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Draw

Marina Rodriguez Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders

São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Nina Ansaroff Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Win

Juliana Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Loss

Alexa Grasso Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Carla Esparza Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Loss

Cortney Casey Submission (armbar) UFC 202

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Loss

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Aisling Daly Decision (unanimous) UFC 186 April 25, 2015

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Jessica Penne Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale December 12, 2014

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Lynnell House Submission (armbar) Provincial FC 2 March 8, 2014

London, Ontario, Canada Loss

Justine Kish Decision (unanimous) RFA 12 January 24, 2014

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Kara Kirsh Decision (unanimous) Provincial FC 1 October 26, 2013

London, Ontario, Canada Win

Ashley Nichols Submission (armbar) Wreck MMA 2.0 March 28, 2013

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Win

Allanna Jones Submission (armbar) Impact Fight League 51 November 17, 2012

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Rose Namajunas Submission (kimura)

(airdate)

Win

Felice Herrig Submission (scarf-hold armlock) (airdate)

Win

Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) (airdate)

Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Bernice Booth TKO (punches) XCC 64.5 - Battle at the Border 11 November 13, 2010

Port Huron, Michigan, United States Win

Bernice Booth Submission (armbar) XCC 64 - Battle at the Border 10 August 28, 2010

Walpole Island, Ontario, Canada Win

Alibeth Rall Milliron Decision (unanimous) IFL - Prepare for Impact May 8, 2010

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Loss

Kelly Warren Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL - Malice at the Palace January 30, 2010

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Loss

Kelly Warren Decision (unanimous) IFL - Righteous Rumble November 14, 2009

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Win

Tanya Lohr Decision (unanimous) IFL - No Pain, No Gain September 19, 2009

Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States