Table of Contents
Who is Randa Markos?
Randa Markos is currently one of the most well-known female wrestlers with numerous victories under her belt. Randa Markos persevered despite numerous challenges, whether it was her parents’ disapproval or something else.
It’s not every day that we see women standing firm in physically demanding sports like MMA and UFC.
Few women have grown up with people with their fierce attitudes and daring styles in a world dominated by men.
Randa is one of them.
Coming from a Middle Eastern family and adjusting to a new environment was difficult enough.
This fierce fighter is not only successful in the ring, but also in her personal life.
Today, we’ll learn more about this tenacious lady who has won in the octagon since 2009.
Let’s look for more exciting Randa information, shall we?
More Facts about Randa Markos
Full Name | Randa Cemil Markos- Thomas |
Birth Date | August 10, 1985 |
Birth Place | Baghdad, Iraq |
Known as | Randa Markos “Quiet Storm” |
Religion | Chaldean Catholic |
Nationality | Assyrian Canadian |
Ethnicity | Middle-Eastern |
Education | TriOS College |
Horoscope | Leo |
Father’s Name | Unknown |
Mother’s Name | Azhar Markos |
Siblings | Two Brothers and a sister |
Age | 37 Years Old |
Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
Weight | 52 kgs(115 lbs) |
Build | Athletic |
Eye color | Dark brown |
Profession | Professional Mixed Martial Artist |
Active years | 2009-present |
Division | Strawweight |
Team | Tristar Gym |
Rank | A purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse | Jeff Thomas |
Net Worth | $14.7 million |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Merch of Jeff Thomas | 1910: War in the Pacific |
Last Update | August 2022 |
Randa Markos, Early Education, Family, and Life
She is an active UFC fighter from Baghdad, Iraq.
Randa Cemil Markos-Thomas is the full name of Markos, who was born 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 numerous attempts, Randa’s parents were able to flee the war zone and board a plane to Ontario, Canada.
Randa was only 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.
However, there are no details about her father.
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 background.
Randa Markos’s age and height
Markos, also known as “Quiet Storm” among UFC fans, is a ticking time bomb inside the octagon.
This courageous fighter was born on August 10, 1985, making her 37 years old.
Not to mention that she was born under the sign of Leo, one of the most powerful and successful.
Markos has successfully established her name in
the UFC world, whether it is due to the sign on her sun or her never-say-die attitude. Apart from her fiery personality, Markos is built like a rock.
In terms of stature, this Assyrian fighter stands 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and weighs approximately 52 kg (115 lbs).
Aside from that, she holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Randa Markos’s Early Career and Beginnings in MMA
Randa, who had 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 defeat her opponent in the third round.
Though it appeared to outsiders to be comfortable, the reality was far from it.
Her difficulties stem from her childhood 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 friends and closely monitored everything she did at the time.
Furthermore, Markos’s parents allowed her to wrestle in high school and even chastised her for doing gym practice.
As a result, Randa lied to her parents about joining a volleyball club and secretly practicing wrestling at school.
Markos discovered jiu-jitsu in high school and decided to pursue a professional career in it.
After her first win, Markos continued to build on her success, making her RFA debut against future TUF 20 teammate Justine Kish.
Randa, unfortunately, suffered her first defeat that night.
She, on the other hand, was not one to revel in defeat and quickly recovered.
Randa won her next match by armbar in the first round over Lynnell House, capturing the PFC Strawweight title.
UFC Champion Randa Markos
Randa tried her hand at UFC after MMA.
She was one of eight contestants who tried 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 ranked 14 for Team Pettis and was pitted against no. 3 Tecia Torres in the season opener.
Torres was eventually defeated by decision after three rounds.
It was also Team Pettis’ first victory.
In her ninth episode, Markos was scheduled to face Felice Herrig, whom she defeated in the first round via scaffold armbar.
But the tension was present even before the game started.
Many fighters wanted to train separately and in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening, during preparation.
However, Markos only attended the morning session, which irritated Carla Esparza, who confronted Randa and asked her to leave.
Markos was paired against Rose Namajunas in the semifinals during the previous episode but unfortunately lost via 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 close 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 next time.
Following that, Markos went on to defeat fighters such as Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger, Carla Esparza, Juliana Lima, Nina Ansaroff, and others by unanimous decision.
Randa Markos’s Career Highlights, Achievements, and Statistics
At UFC Fight Night 137 on September 22, 2018, Markos faced promotional newcomer Marina Rodriguez.
The tense match ended in a tie.
She fought Angela Hill again the following year at UFC Fight Night, which she won via armbar submission in the first round.
She also received the Performance of the Night award in addition to the win.
Unfortunately, Randa was defeated in a series of subsequent fights.
For example, Markos was defeated by Claudia Gadelhas by unanimous decision in July, then again in October by Ashley Yoder, and again on March 14, 2020, by Amanda Ribas.
Similarly, in her most recent fight at UFC Fight Night 179, Markos faced Mackenzie Dern on September 19, 2020.
Contrary to popular belief, Markos was defeated by submission in the first round.
Randa Markos | Sayings
It was difficult to pursue my dreams, but I didn’t let anything stop me.
Don’t limit yourself, and don’t allow others to limit your potential.
Whatever is going on in your life, don’t let anyone take your dreams away from you.
Don’t let anyone stop you from pursuing your dreams.
Randa Markos earns how much per year?
Randa, as we all know, has been a fighter since 2009.
Markos, who is already in her 30s, is still making her way through the UFC and establishing herself as one of the best fighters.
Randa has a net worth of $14.7 million as a result of her successful career in MMA and UFC.
Not to mention, the majority of her earnings come from her UFC fighting career.
Aside from that, it is estimated that Markos earns $25k per fight, not including the bonus if she wins.
Nonetheless, the sum appears to be insignificant in comparison to their daring and eye-catching fight scenes.
She also received a $42,000 payout at UFC Fight Night 170.
Despite their outward appearances, the ladies fight like there’s no tomorrow inside the octagon.
And, on most occasions, bruises and cuts are common sights behind the rings after the match concludes.
Randa has yet to reveal her total earnings and income because she may earn more from her endorsements as well.
However, her assets and other valuables are all unknown.
Randa Markos’s personal life and marriage
Randa is a happily married woman in her 30s who works in one of the most dangerous and physically demanding jobs.
Yes, the beautiful and fierce Markos is married to her long-term boyfriend, Jeff Thomas.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much information on the couple to glean, such as how and where they first met, and so on.
In addition, the couple has no children and has no plans to have any in the near future, at least not publicly.
But that doesn’t mean people aren’t excited about it.
Furthermore, Randa has not been linked to any malicious rumors to date, but many rumors circulated prior to her match.
We’re curious as to why.
Markos, on the other hand, spends her free time with her husband and family and participates in charity events.
Randa is well-known for her affiliation with Windsor Crossfit and her participation in a HeartBreaker Challenge with a charity event in which she demonstrates her abilities for a good cause.
Also, read: Gregorio Paltrinieri, Christoph Harting, Franchy Cordero
Randa Markos | Online Presence
Follow Randa on social media to learn more about her and her life.
96.8k Followers on Instagram
59.2k Followers on Twitter