Ronny Markes

Ronny Markes (born April 21, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Markes has formerly competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, PFL, Bellator MMA, and M-1 Global. He is the current King of the Cage Super Heavyweight Champion.

MMA career Early career Markes made his professional MMA debut in 2007 at an event in Spain. Markes competed mostly in his native Brazil, with a few early professional fights taking place in Europe. He amassed an impressive 11-1 prior to signing with Zuffa in 2011.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Markes signed with the UFC as an injury replacement for Stephan Bonnar against Karlos Vemola at UFC on Versus 5 on August 14, 2011. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Markes dropped down to the Middleweight division and faced Aaron Simpson on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1 After being dropped by an uppercut late in the first round Markes overcame adversity and defeated Simpson via split decision.

In his third fight for the promotion, Markes faced Andrew Craig on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX 7. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Markes was expected to face Derek Brunson on June 8, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 10. However, the bout was scrapped on the day of the weigh in as Markes was involved in a minor traffic accident. While Markes was not seriously injured, the incident prevented him from competing.

For his fourth fight with the promotion, Markes faced Yoel Romero on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Markes faced Thiago Santos on March 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 38. Markes was unable to make weight for this fight. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.

World Series of Fighting On May 15, 2014 it was announced that Markes had signed a deal with World Series of Fighting and plans to return to the Light Heavyweight division.

Markes was expected to face Kelvin Tiller at World Series of Fighting 12: Palomino vs Gonzalez on August 9, 2014, However Tiller was pulled from the fight to replace injured Krasimir Mladenov Markes instead fought promotional newcomer Cully Butterfield at the event. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Markes was expected to face Thiago Silva at WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015. However Silva was pulled from the fight to face Matt Hamill at WSOF 19. Matt Hamill was later replaced by Teddy Holder. Markes was then scheduled to face David Branch at WSOF 20 on April 10, 2015 However, on the day of the weigh-in, Markes was forced out of the bout due to dehydration and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jesse McElligott.

Bellator MMA Markes was expected to make his Bellator MMA promotional debut against Josh Barnett on December 20, 2019 at Bellator's Salute the Troops event in Honolulu, Hawaii. However, Barnett was deemed unable to compete due to severe illness on the night of the event and the bout was cancelled. The fight was rescheduled for Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020. However, Barnett failed his medical tests and was replaced by Matt Mitrione. However, the whole event was eventually cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

Markes made his promotional debut against Linton Vassell at Bellator 254 on December 10, 2020. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Markes faced Said Sowma on July 16, 2021 at Bellator 262. He lost via knockout in the first round.

On July 19, 2021, Bellator MMA officials revealed that Markes was released from the promotion.

Post Bellator Markes faced Victor Jones on November 19, 2021 at Premier FC 32 He won by TKO 21 seconds in to the first round.

Markes faced Rodrigo Duarte on December 18, 2021 at Shooto Brasil 110. He won the bout via kimura in the first round.

Markes was scheduled to face Reggie Peña at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022. The day of the event, the bout was delayed and will likely happen at a future event. The bout eventually took place on May 20, 2022 at Eagle FC 47. Markes won the fight via stoppage after Pena injured his knee in the second round.

Markes faced Szymon Bajor on August 13, 2022 at PFL 8. Markes lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Markes was scheduled to face Da Woon Jung on May 25, 2025 at GFL 2. However, the first two GFL events were postponed indefinitely.

Grappling career Markes faced Viktor Nemkov at ADXC 10 on May 31, 2025. He won the match by decision.

Championships and accomplishments King of the Cage KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jordan Heiderman TKO (elbows) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Kazbek Saidaliev KO (knee) UAE Warriors 61

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Lawrence Phillips TKO (punches) XFC 51

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

D.J. Linderman TKO (punches) Pure Combat: Battleground

Oroville, California, United States Win

Lucas Chiumiento Submission (kimura) Fera Championship: Fight Night

Zahra, Kuwait Loss

Szymon Bajor Decision (unanimous) PFL 8 (2022)

Cardiff, Wales Win

Reggie Peña TKO (knee injury) Eagle FC 47

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Rodrigo Duarte Submission (kimura) Shooto Brasil 110

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Victor Jones TKO (punches) Premier FC 32

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Said Sowma KO (punches) Bellator 262

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Linton Vassell TKO (punches) Bellator 254

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Sigi Pesaleli TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Loss

Brandon Halsey Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2018)

Long Beach, California, United States Loss

Sean O'Connell TKO (punches) PFL 2 (2018)

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Dylan Potter Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC: Fractured

Lincoln City, Oregon, United States Win

Smealinho Rama Decision (unanimous) PFL Daytona

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Loss

Viktor Nemkov Submission (guillotine choke) M-1 Challenge 77

Sochi, Russia Win

Tony Lopez Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC: Heavy Trauma

Lincoln City, Oregon, United States Loss

Cassio Barbosa de Oliveira Submission (heel hook) Shooto Brasil 61

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Cully Butterfield Decision (unanimous) WSOF 12

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Thiago Santos TKO (body kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2

Natal, Brazil Loss

Yoel Romero KO (punches) UFC: Fight for the Troops 3

Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States Win

Andrew Craig Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Aaron Simpson Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Karlos Vémola Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Paulo Filho Decision (unanimous) International Fighter Championship

Recife, Brazil Win

Diogo Osama TKO (punches) Shooto Brazil 22

Brasília, Brazil Win

Wendres Carlos da Silva TKO (submission to punches) Gouveia Fight Championship 2

Natal, Brazil Win

Fernando Silva TKO (punches) Brazil Fight 3: Minas Gerais vs. São Paulo

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Loss

Paulo Rodrigues Submission (armbar) Iron Man Championship 7

Belém, Brazil Win

Fernando Almeida TKO (punches) Amazon Show Combat

Manaus, Brazil Win

Wanderlan Vila Cruzeiro TKO (punches) Shooto: Brazil 16

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Roque Oliver Submission (arm-triangle choke) Platinum Fight Brazil 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Charles Andrade Submission (kimura) Natal Fight Championship 2

Natal, Brazil Win

Michael Knaap Decision (unanimous) BG: Top Team

Beverwijk, Netherlands Win

Junior Fofinho Submission (arm-triangle choke) Platinum Fight Brazil

Natal, Brazil Win

Enrico Vaccaro TKO (punches) KO: Arena 6

Spain