Rory Markham

Last updated
Rory Markham
Rory Markham.JPG
Born (1982-03-25) March 25, 1982 (age 42)
Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States
Residence Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nationality American
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach71.0 in (180 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States
TeamTeam Curran
Years active2003-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins17
By knockout12
By submission5
Losses6
By knockout6
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rory Markham (born March 25, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist and actor who most recently acted alongside Will Smith playing Booker Grassie in the latest addition to the Bad Boys franchise Bad Boys for Life . Formerly, Rory competed in the Welterweight, Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Divisions. A professional competitor since 2003, Markham has formerly competed for the UFC and the IFL.

Contents

Background

An experienced martial artist from a young age, Markham began training in Shidokan Karate at the age of six before later transitioning into Kenpo. At the age of 13, Markham began training in Kyokushin and began fighting in full-contact competitions when he was 15, winning all of his matches by knockout despite often being paired against much older opponents. Markham also began competing in boxing at the age of 17, holding an undefeated amateur record of 10–0. Markham later became affiliated with Pat Miletich. [1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In 2003, Markham made his professional mixed martial arts debut, winning via first-round knockout. Markham would go on to compile a record of 8–2, competing in the regional circuit, before being invited to compete in the International Fight League for the Quad Cities Silverbacks, under his coach at the Miletich Fighting Systems, Pat Miletich.

IFL

Markham made his IFL debut at IFL: Legends Championship 2006 on April 29, 2006, against veteran Mike Pyle. Markham won in 44 seconds via knockout.

Markham followed this up with three more wins in the promotion all via KO/TKO over Brad Blackburn, Marcelo Acevedo, and Keith Wisniewski, respectively, before facing future UFC veteran Chris Wilson at the IFL: Championship Final. Markham was handed his first defeated inside of the promotion via TKO in the first round. Markham soon bounced back with two more knockout wins over Pat Healy and Chris Clements, respectively, before being defeated via second-round knockout at the hands of Brett Cooper at the IFL: World Grand Prix Finals.

Post-IFL

After the demise of the IFL, Markham fought for Adrenaline MMA's inaugural event on June 14, 2008, facing veteran Jay Ellis. Markham won via triangle choke submission in the first round.

UFC

With an overall 15–4 professional record, Markham was signed by the UFC. Markham made his debut at UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19, 2008, against Canadian Brodie Farber. After almost being finished early on in the fight, Markham knocked out Farber with a head kick. This victory earned him a Knockout of the Night award and was a nominee on Sherdog.com for "Knockout of the Year" and "Comeback of the Year".

In his next appearance, Markham faced British fighter Dan Hardy at UFC 95 on February 20, 2009, in London, England. Markham was knocked out with a left hook in the first round. Markham was then expected to face Martin Kampmann at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010, but pulled out due to a knee injury. [2]

Markham then fought at UFC 111 on March 27, 2010, against Nate Diaz. After Markham was six pounds overweight at the weigh-ins, the fight was made a catchweight bout at 177 pounds (80 kg), and Markham was fined $1,000 as a result. This was significant as it was only the second time a fighter training with the Miletich Fighting Systems did not make weight in 15 years. [3] Markham was defeated via TKO in the first round and was released by the promotion.

Post-UFC

After being released from the UFC, Markham signed with Bellator and was expected to make his promotional debut at Bellator 26 against Steve Carl on August 26, 2010, for a spot in the Season Four Welterweight Tournament. However, Markham pulled out due to not being cleared to fight.

Markham was next expected to face Rudy Bears at Titan FC 18 on May 27, 2011, but withdrew from the fight. Markham was most recently scheduled to fight on June 16, 2012, against Jon Kirk at Battle Xtreme Championship but the fight was cancelled. [2]

Film

Markham is a trained actor and member of the Screen Actors Guild. His films include The Death and Life of Bobby Z with Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne; The Experiment with Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker; Setup with Bruce Willis, 50 Cent, and Ryan Phillippe; and Alex Cross with Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox.

Filmography

YearTitleFilm/TelevisionRoleOther notes
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z FilmHalf-Blood
2010 The Experiment FilmWally Ziolkowski
2011 Setup FilmMarkus
2012 Alex Cross FilmNonied Soscheck
2020 Bad Boys for Life FilmBooker Grassie

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
23 matches17 wins6 losses
By knockout126
By submission50
By decision00
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win17–6Brian GreenTKO (punches)XFO 58March 20, 201611:06 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss16–6 Nate Diaz TKO (punches) UFC 111 March 27, 201012:47 Newark, New Jersey, United StatesCatchweight (177 lb) bout. Markham missed weight.
Loss16–5 Dan Hardy KO (punch) UFC 95 February 20, 200911:09London, England, United Kingdom
Win16–4 Brodie Farber KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night 14 July 19, 200811:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesKnockout of the Night.
Win15–4Jay EllisSubmission (triangle choke)Adrenaline MMA 1June 14, 200811:57 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss14–4 Brett Cooper TKO (punches)IFL: World Grand Prix FinalsDecember 29, 200721:15 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win14–3 Chris Clements TKO (punches)IFL: 2007 SemifinalsAugust 2, 200711:17 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win13–3 Pat Healy KO (punches)IFL: MolineApril 7, 200731:47 Moline, Illinois, United States
Loss12–3 Chris Wilson TKO (punches)IFL: Championship FinalDecember 29, 200612:14 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win12–2 Keith Wisniewski TKO (corner stoppage)IFL: World Championship SemifinalsNovember 2, 200634:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win11–2Marcelo AzevedoTKO (punches)IFL: Gracie vs. MiletichSeptember 23, 200613:58 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win10–2 Brad Blackburn KO (punch)IFL: Championship 2006June 3, 200620:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win9–2 Mike Pyle KO (punch)IFL: Legends Championship 2006April 29, 200610:44Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss8–2Trevor GarrettTKO (punches)Xtreme Fighting Organization 10March 18, 200610:47 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win8–1Brian GreenKO (punch)Xtreme Fighting Organization 9January 28, 200610:26Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win7–1Mike Van MeerKO (punch)Extreme Challenge 64October 15, 200511:48 Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win6–1Victor MorenoSubmission (rear-naked choke)Extreme Challenge 61April 22, 200514:16Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win5–1Jimmy BoydSubmission (triangle choke)Xtreme Fighting Organization 5March 19, 200512:13Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win4–1James WarfieldTKO (punches)Xtreme Fighting Organization 3October 2, 200421:12 McHenry, Illinois, United States
Win3–1Ryan WilliamsSubmission (triangle choke)Courage Fighting Championships 1July 24, 200422:53 Decatur, Illinois, United States
Win2–1 Jason Guida Submission (armbar)Xtreme Fighting Organization 2June 26, 200420:58 Fontana, Wisconsin, United States
Loss1–1Kurt IllemanTKO (cut)Extreme Challenge 55December 5, 200311:26Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win1–0John BulgerKO (punches)Extreme Challenge 54October 12, 200310:59Lakemoor, Illinois, United States

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References

  1. ↑ "Rory Markham | Life After Hate". lifeafterhate.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23.
  2. 1 2 "Rory Markham | MMA Fighter Page".
  3. ↑ [ dead link ]
  4. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 28, 2008). "The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Knockouts". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
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