This is a new column, where once a week (or so) we preview a MMA fighter from each weight class, who we believe will have great success in their respective weight class for years to come.
Criteria for this column includes: the fighter cannot be the champion, cannot be a former champion, and cannot yet have fought for the title – this is a column devoted to helping the lesser known of the division shine. This week is the UFC Women’s 115lbs division, the Strawweights.
Future of the Division – The Strawweights
The Fighter: Randa “Quiet Storm” Markos
Professional MMA Record: 4-2 (3 submissions, 1 decision)
Stats: 5’5”, 115lbs, Age 29
Champion of her division: Carla Esparza
Other Notables in the weight class: Joanne Calderwood, Paige Van Zant, Claudia Gadelha
Why She’ll be One to Watch
The “Quiet Storm” has amassed a 4-2 record as a professional in about two and a half years. However, it’s not the record that’s impressive, but the quality of competition and the evolution in her skills. She competed on Season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), the inaugural all female season for the first ever Women’s Strawweight Title. Randa came into the tournament as not much more than a footnote to most. She was relatively unknown, very quiet, and was seeded #14 out of 16 competitors.Then came the storm.
In the opening round, Markos shocked the MMA world, when she defeated #3 ranked Tecia Torres via unanimous decision. In her second fight on the show she made quick work of the well-known, #7 ranked Felice Herrig via first round submission.
Two fights, two upset victories. That put the Canadian into the semi-finals against always entertaining Rose Namajunas. Markos succumbed to Namajunas and lost via first round submission. She didn’t win the show, but she made a lot of fans and gained notoriety in the process. Markos was a force to be reckoned with.
Then came her official UFC debut. December 12, 2014 she fought at the TUF 20 finale against fellow semi-finalist Jessica Penne. The #4 ranked Penne was far more experienced and well known. She was 11-2 at the time of the fight, and a former Invicta FC Champion. But none of that mattered to Markos. She gave Penne the fight of her life. Crisp boxing, slick transitions and some impressive scrambles on the ground. After three rounds the fight could have easily gone either fighter’s way, however the judges gave the fight to Penne via split decision (scores of 29-28, 30-27 Penne and 29-28 Markos). It was a very entertaining fight that showcased the talents that the 115lb weight class possesses. So much so that it earned Fight of the Night.
So here she is, just over two years into her professional career. A veteran of The Ultimate Fighter, a UFC Fight of the Night winner, and the #7 ranked fighter in the UFC Srawweight division (and only because they don’t officially count fights on TUF). The 29-year-old is young, hungry and always improving. She hits hard and puts her combinations together very well. As she showed in the fight with Penne, she’s not afraid of a little blood and she doesn’t mind a war. Her grappling is on par with the best in the division and she’s not afraid to hit the mat with anybody. Markos is a quick learner and as she gets more experience you’ll only see her get better. She is primed for some big fights in the years to come and expect her to grow and succeed. Don’t be surprised to see the “Quiet Storm” in a title fight within the next year or two.
She’s one to watch for many years to come.
Follow Nate Grotenhuis on Twitter @BurgersMMA
