Canadian-Iraqi Ultimate Fighter 20 alum Randa Markos will return to the octagon in Carlotte, NC early next year.
Randa Markos will look to get back on track in 2018. Since making her UFC debut at the finale of TUF 20 in December 2014, strawweight Markos has traded wins and losses, going 3-4 in the promotion. Most recently dropping a close split decision to Alexa Grasso at UFC Fight Night 114, Markos will return in January at UFC Charlotte, where she’ll take on Brazilian Juliana Lima. MMA Today’s Farah Hannoun first reported the news, which was later confirmed by Markos, who posted an image featuring her and Lima on social media.
Lima (9–4) was last in action at the Ultimate Fighter 25 final in July, where she succumbed to a rear-naked choke locked in by Tecia Torres. 3-3 in the UFC, she made her promotional debut against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in a losing effort before going 3-2 over her next five fights. The Brazilian Gracie Barra team member previously fought under the Invicta FC banner.
With the 115lb division wide open with the dethroning of Jedrzejczyk at the hands of Rose Namajunas at UFC 217, it’s the perfect time for one of these fighters to start building a winning streak. With a strong showing, one or the other should get their careers back on track.
UFC Charlotte takes place January 27 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is expected to serve as UFC on FOX 27. No main event has been announced for the card as of yet.
