Canadian standout Randa Markos became the first semi-finalist with a quick submission victory during tonight’s ninth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 20: “A Champion Will Be Crowned.” Markos submitted rival Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig with a scarf hold armlock in the first round of their quarterfinal bout.
Tensions rose between Markos and other Team Pettis members, including Herrig and top seed Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza, over a disagreement regarding training schedules during tonight’s episode. Markos did not let the drama affect her and she became the first woman to submit Herrig in MMA.
Markos (4-1-0 pro, ranked #14) and Herrig (9-5-0 pro, ranked #6) exchanged punches in the opening seconds of tonight’s quarterfinal fight and Markos initiated a clinch against the cage. She tripped Herrig to the mat, but Herrig reversed on the way down and wound up in top position. Markos scrambled back to her feet and tried again to take Herrig down. She used a headlock throw to get Herrig down into the scarf hold position. Within seconds, Markos locked on a scarf hold armlock and Herrig immediately tapped out at the 2:13 mark of round one.
With tonight’s quick and impressive win, Markos became the first woman to move on to this season’s semi-final round. She next faces the winner of the upcoming bout between Joanne “JoJo” Calderwood and Team Melendez’s final remaining competitor, “Thug” Rose Namajunas, who face off during a future episode in the coming weeks. Next week’s episode pits Team Pettis allies against each other, as #4-ranked Jessica Penne takes on #5-ranked Aisling “Ais The Bash” Daly for a spot in the semi-finals.
The Ultimate Fighter 20: “A Champion Will Be Crowned” airs every Wednesday night on FOX Sports 1 and Sportsnet 360. The winner of the gruelling competition will become the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.
Ok….gettin easier now…aisling smashes penne then beats carla in the semis. Rose fights aisling at the finale. Who woulda thunk it 10 weeks ago?
That is my prediction
My two favorite fighters besides the obvious everybody’s favorite are Randa and Aisling. Everybody”s favorite…Rose of course.
And Jojo too!
Fellice Herrig doesn’t have the mindset to ever be champion of anything except instagramming. She is the most physically imposing, beautiful bodied white female athlete I have ever seen…just mentally weak
Agree with pretty much everything you said Mike. I did pick Penne over Aisling though, and Randa sure has come out from under the radar. Very impressive win over Herrig – who is indeed mentally weak unfortunately.
So next week the pre-Thanksgiving fight is Aisling – Penne. The highlights/preview of that fight seemed to show a slugfest, with both women giving and taking huge shots. A fight like that would have to favor Aisling, but Penne has technique and can box too. Should be a great night!
she sure is flight under the radar, good wrestling, but is it good enough against carla?
from one of her vid in youtube, she trains in roufus gym?
Are you talking about Tecia??? Carla fights Tecia Torres next
If you are talking about Ais the Bash…her main advantage is her size. She is used to entering the cage on fight night at 135 (after making 125 during weigh-ins)
Also she is so unorthodox…kinda like Randa Markos. She packs a whallop of a punch (she trains with Conor Mac) and….she loves the RNC just like Carla.