UFC on FOX 27 results: Randa Markos grinds out win over Juliana Lima

Is Randa Markos finally ready to go on a run in the UFC strawweight division?

The Iraqi-Canadian fighter has been in a win-one-lose-one pattern during her entire UFC run, losing several tight decisions along the way. But after UFC on FOX 27, it appears she’s finally ready to work her way up the ranks.

The Michigan Top Team fighter used her wrestling game Saturday to outwork Brazil’s Juliana Lima on Saturday and earn a unanimous decision. The judges’ scores in Charlotte were 30-27 across the board.

“I want somebody in the top five,” Markos said. “I’ve changed a lot of things around and I’m trying to show you guys I’m improving. I deserve it.”

The opening round was the fight’s closest, a back and forth grappling battle in which neither fighter gave up much ground. Lima scored a late takedown, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.

Lima scored another takedown early in the second, only to have the referee issue a questionable standup with Lima in top position. Markos took over from there, utilizing a nice throw to take hte fight to the mat, then dishing out punches from top position the rest of the way.

In the third, Markos rushed forward and pushed the pace, then took it to the mat with another nicely executed throw. She never let Lima get into a position to try to steal the fight, controlling things the rest of the way.

After the fight, Markos revealed she worked through an MCL injury suffered nearly a month ago.

“I’m so happy,” Markos said. “Four weeks ago I tore my MCL, for four weeks I tried to continue, convincing myself I could continue and continue.”

Markos improved to 8-5 with her fifth career decision win. Lima dropped to 9-5 after her third defeat in her past four fights.