Randa Markos-Thomas (born August 10, 1985) is an Iraqi-Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is also known for competing on The Ultimate Fighter for Team Pettis.
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Personal life
Markos was born in Iraq but moved to Ontario, Canada with her family when she was three years old. She and her family were held at gun point and imprisoned during the Gulf War for trying to escape. Her family managed to escape and hop on a plane for Canada. She is Chaldean. Markos worked as a pharmacy technician at a local pharmacy in Windsor.
Mixed martial arts career
Markos made her Pro MMA debut on November 17, 2014 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. 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.
The Ultimate Fighter
Markos was the among the final 8 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 Randa was set to take on Felice Herrig in the first quarterfinal match up. Tension begins to build when several of the fighters want 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 confronts Markos to try to get her to leave in which Randa was having none of it and did not leave. Herrig and Esparza both confront Pettis about the situation in which he complies that he likes the original decision but also he can`t make decisions for Markos. At the weigh-ins Herrig was chewing gum and blew a bubble in Markos' face, to which an intense Markos slapped it away. Markos defeated Herrig via scarfhold armbar, in the first round.
In the last episode of the season Randa was paired up against Rose Namajunas in the semi final. Markos lost via first round submission.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Markos made her UFC debut at the The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale taking on fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne. She lost a razor close split decision, and was awarded Fight of the Night.
Markos filled in for the injured Claudia Gadelha at UFC 186, taking on Aisling Daly. She won via unanimous decision.
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.
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. She won the fight by split decision.
Championships and achievements
- The Windsor / Essex Sports Persons of the Year
- WESPY Female Athlete of the Year (2015)
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One Time)
- Provincial Fighting Championships
- Provincial FC Strawweight Title (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Amateur mixed martial arts record
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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