Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas (born August 10, 1985) is an Chaldean Iraqi-born Canadian professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who competes in the strawweight division. She most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Personal life

Markos was born in

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

in 1985. She is ethnically Assyrian, and her parents are of

Chaldean Catholic The Chaldean Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic particular church ('' sui iuris'') in full communion with the Holy See and the rest of the Catholic Church, and is headed by the Chaldean Patriarchate. Employing in its liturgy the East Syri ...

religious background. 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 Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

that same year. Markos earned her Pharmacy Assistant Diploma at TriOS College. She then worked as a

pharmacy technician A pharmacy technician (PhT) performs pharmacy-related functions including but not limited to filling out prescription medications. Training, certification, licensing, and actual practice of pharmacy technicians varies not only worldwide but in s ...

at a pharmacy in Windsor.

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 Svetlana Nasibulina (born 13 April 1988), known professionally by her ring name Justine Kish, is an American mixed martial artist that competes in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2010, she has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting ...

. 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 among the final eight contestants that tried out for the ''TUF'' house, to join the 11

Invicta FC Invicta Fighting Championships, also known as Invicta FC, is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion dedicated to women's mixed martial arts that was founded in 2012 by Janet Martin and Shannon Knapp. The promotion is current ...

strawweights that President

Dana White Dana Frederick White Jr. (born July 28, 1969) is an American businessman who is the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a global mixed martial arts organization. In August 2019, White's net worth was estimated at . Out ...

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 last episode of the season, 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, taking on fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne. She lost in a close split decision and was awarded Fight of the Night. Markos filled in for the injured

Cláudia Gadelha Ana Cláudia Dantas Gadelha (; born December 7, 1988) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Strawweight (MMA), Women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 2022, Gadelha ...

UFC 186 ''UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi'' was a mixed martial arts event held on April 25, 2015, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Background The event was the seventh event that the UFC has hosted in Montreal, Quebec. The event was expec ...

, taking on Aisling Daly. She won via unanimous decision. Markos faced promotional newcomer

Karolina Kowalkiewicz Karolina Kowalkiewicz (born October 15, 1985) is a Polish mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion. Mixed ma ...

on December 19, 2015 at

UFC on Fox 17 ''UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 17'') was a mixed martial arts event held on December 19, 2015, at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Background The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout ...

. 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 ''UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on August 20, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. This event was t ...

; 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. On August 5, 2017, Markos faced

Alexa Grasso Karen Alexa Grasso Montes (born August 9, 1993) is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is a former UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. Gr ...

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. Markos faced Nina Ansaroff on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox 30. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Markos faced promotional newcomer

Marina Rodriguez Marina Alcalde Rodriguez (born April 29, 1987) is a Brazilian former mixed martial artist. She competed in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), achieving an 8-5 record, with 2 draws in the promotion. ...

on September 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137. The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw. Markos faced 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. Markos faced

on July 6, 2019 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. Markos faced

Mackenzie Dern Mackenzie Lynne Dern (born March 24, 1993) is an American and Brazilian professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner currently competing in the women's Strawweight (MMA), Strawweight division of the U ...

on September 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178. 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 was scheduled to face

Luana Pinheiro Luana Munize Barbosa Pinheiro (born November 18, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Strawweight (MMA), Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Backgrou ...

on March 27, 2021 at UFC 260. However, Markos 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. Markos faced Lívia Renata Souza on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196. She won the fight via unanimous decision. After her last bout, it was announced that her UFC contract was not renewed.

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

** Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Jessica Penne ** Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Angela Hill **Tied (

& Tecia Pennington) for second most bouts in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (18) *Provincial Fighting Championships **Provincial FC Strawweight Title (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, , Lívia Renata Souza , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, ,

, DQ (illegal upkick) , UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:16 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, , Kanako Murata , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–9–1 ,

, Submission (armbar) , UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:44 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–8–1 , Amanda Ribas , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Brasília Brasília ( ; ) is the capital city, capital of Brazil and Federal District (Brazil), Federal District. Located in the Brazilian highlands in the country's Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region, it was founded by President Juscelino ...

, Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 10–7–1 , Ashley Yoder , Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Kallang Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore. Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...

, Singapore , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–7–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC 239 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–6–1 , Angela Hill , Submission (armbar) , UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:24 ,

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, United States , , - , Draw , align=center, 8–6–1 ,

, Draw (majority) , UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

, Brazil , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–6 , Nina Ansaroff , Decision (unanimous) , UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Calgary, Alberta Calgary () is a major city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a Metropolitan area, metropolitan population of 1,481,806 making it the List of ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 8–5 , Juliana Lima , Decision (unanimous) , UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 United ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–5 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...

, Mexico , , - , Win , align=center, 7–4 , Carla Esparza , Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–4 , Cortney Casey , Submission (armbar) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:34 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 , Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–3 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Orlando, Florida Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2 , Aisling Daly , Decision (unanimous) ,

, April 25, 2015 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 4–2 , Jessica Penne , Decision (split) , The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale , December 12, 2014 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Lynnell House , Submission (armbar) , Provincial FC 2 , March 8, 2014 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:57 ,

London, Ontario London is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River (Ontario), Thames River and N ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , RFA 12 , January 24, 2014 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Kara Kirsh , Decision (unanimous) , Provincial FC 1 , October 26, 2013 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, 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 Gatineau ( ; ) is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is located on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, directly across from Ottawa, Ontario. Gatineau is the largest city in the Outaouais administrative region of Quebec and is also par ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Allanna Jones , Submission (armbar) , Impact Fight League 51 , November 17, 2012 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:14 ,

Auburn Hills, Michigan Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Auburn Hills is located about north of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 24,360. Auburn Hills is home to ...

, United States , , -

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

, - , Loss , align=center, 2–1 , Rose Namajunas , Submission (kimura) , rowspan=3, The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned , (airdate) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:44 , rowspan=3,

, 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 Port Huron is a city in and seat of government of St. Clair County, Michigan, United States. The population was 28,983 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered on the west by Port Huron Township, but the two are administered autonomously. Po ...

, 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 ,

, 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 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 , Kelly Warren , Decision (unanimous) , IFL - Righteous Rumble , November 14, 2009 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:00 ,

, 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 Rochester Hills is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States. A northern suburb of Metro Detroit, Detroit, Rochester Hills is located about north of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a popul ...