Randa Markos

Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas is a Canadian professional MMA fighter of Iraqi descent. She fights in the strawweight class and is most known for her appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Early Life, Family, and Education

Randa Markos is a professional UFC fighter from Baghdad, Iraq. Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas is the full name of Markos, who was born in 1985 in Iraq to Iraqi parents.

Markos’ parents attempted to flee the ongoing Iran-Iraq war, concerned about their children’s future. Unfortunately, they were apprehended and held at gunpoint.

Despite repeated efforts, Randa’s parents were able to flee the conflict zone and catch an aircraft to Ontario, Canada. Randa was just three years old at the time of all of this.

Randa, like her mother, Azhar Markos, was raised by her three siblings: a sister, Reva Hermiz, and two brothers, Chris Markos and Robert Markos.

Markos attended TriOS College and graduated with a Pharmacy Assistant Diploma. After graduation, she worked as a pharmacy technician in Windsor.

Randa is also an Assyrian Canadian by nationality, with a Middle Eastern ethnic origin.

 

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Early Career

Randa, who has been interested in fighting and wrestling since she was a child, made her MMA debut on November 17, 2012, at IFC 51 against Allanna Jones. She used an armbar to beat her opponent in the third round.

Though it appeared to outsiders to be pleasant, the truth was far from it. Her difficulties stem from her youth when her parents were overprotective of her.

Coming from Iraq, her family struggled in the beginning, and even Markos and her siblings struggled to adjust to their new life.

Not only that, but her parents forbade Markos from hanging out with her new pals and closely monitored everything she did at the time.

Markos discovered jiu-jitsu in high school and chose to pursue a professional career in it.

After her initial win, Markos continued to build on her success, making her RFA debut against future TUF 20 teammate Justine Kish.

Randa, however, lost her first defeat that night. She, on the other hand, was not one to revel in defeat and soon recovered.

Randa won her next battle via armbar in the first round over Lynnell House, capturing the PFC Strawweight championship.

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 UFC Championship

Randa tried her hand at UFC after MMA. She was one of eight hopefuls that tested out for the TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) house and joined the 11-man Invicta FC strawweight team, which was led by Dana White.

Similarly, Markos was rated 14 for Team Pettis and was pitted against no. 3 Tecia Torres in the season opener. Torres was eventually beaten by decision after three rounds. It was also Team Pettis’ first victory.

In her eighth appearance, Markos was scheduled to face Felice Herrig, whom she defeated in the first round by scaffold armbar. But the anxiety was present even before the game started.

Markos was partnered against Rose Namajunas in the semifinals on the previous show but unfortunately lost by first-round submission.

Following all of that, Markos made her promotional debut at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale, where she defeated semi-finalist Jessica Penne.

Despite losing in a narrow split, she was named Fight of the Night. Randa then stepped in for the injured Claudia Gadelha at UFC 186, where she defeated Aisling Daily. The decision was made unanimously.

Randa did, however, lose by unanimous decision to newcomer Karolina Kowalkiewicz on December 19, 2015. But, rather than giving up, she fought back even harder the following time.

 

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Quotes

• It was hard to follow my dreams, I didn’t let anything stop me.
• Don’t limit yourself, and don’t let anyone put a limit on your potential.
• No matter what’s going on in your life, don’t let anybody take those dreams from you.
• Follow your dreams, don’t let anybody hold you back.

Net Worth

Randa, as we all know, has been a warrior since 2009. Markos, who is already in her 30s, is still working her way through the UFC and establishing herself as one of the top fighters.

Randa has a net worth of $14.7 million as a result of her great career in MMA and UFC. Not to mention, the majority of her earnings come from her UFC fighting career.

Aside from that, it is anticipated that Markos earns $25k every bout, not including the extra if she wins. Nonetheless, the sum appears to be little in comparison to their daring and eye-catching battle sequences.

She also received a $42,000 payout at UFC Fight Night 170. Despite their outward looks, the ladies battle like there’s no tomorrow inside the octagon.

Personal Life

Randa is a contentedly married woman. Yes, the beautiful and strong Markos is married to her long-term partner, Jeff Thomas.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information on the pair to glean, such as how and where they originally met, and so on.

In addition, the couple has no children and has no intentions to have any in the near future, at least not openly. But it doesn’t mean people aren’t excited about it.

 

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Age and Height

This courageous warrior was born on August 10, 1985, making her 36 years old. Not to add that she was born under the sign of Leo, one of the most powerful and successful.

In terms of height, she measures 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and weighs around 52 kg (115 lbs). Aside from that, she holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Social Media Presence

Instagram–  96.8k Followers

Twitter–  59.2k Followers

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Quick Facts