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.

Rory Markham
Born (1982-03-25) March 25, 1982 (age 42)
Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States
ResidenceChicago, Illinois, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach71.0 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofCrystal 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

Background

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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

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Early career

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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

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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

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Year Title Film/Television Role Other notes
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Film Half-Blood
2010 The Experiment Film Wally Ziolkowski
2011 Setup Film Markus
2012 Alex Cross Film Nonied Soscheck
2020 Bad Boys for Life Film Booker Grassie

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
23 matches 17 wins 6 losses
By knockout 12 6
By submission 5 0
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–6 Brian Green TKO (punches) XFO 58 March 20, 2016 1 1:06 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss 16–6 Nate Diaz TKO (punches) UFC 111 March 27, 2010 1 2:47 Newark, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (177 lb) bout. Markham missed weight.
Loss 16–5 Dan Hardy KO (punch) UFC 95 February 20, 2009 1 1:09 London, England, United Kingdom
Win 16–4 Brodie Farber KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night 14 July 19, 2008 1 1:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 15–4 Jay Ellis Submission (triangle choke) Adrenaline MMA 1 June 14, 2008 1 1:57 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 14–4 Brett Cooper TKO (punches) IFL: World Grand Prix Finals December 29, 2007 2 1:15 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 14–3 Chris Clements TKO (punches) IFL: 2007 Semifinals August 2, 2007 1 1:17 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win 13–3 Pat Healy KO (punches) IFL: Moline April 7, 2007 3 1:47 Moline, Illinois, United States
Loss 12–3 Chris Wilson TKO (punches) IFL: Championship Final December 29, 2006 1 2:14 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 12–2 Keith Wisniewski TKO (corner stoppage) IFL: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 3 4:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 11–2 Marcelo Azevedo TKO (punches) IFL: Gracie vs. Miletich September 23, 2006 1 3:58 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win 10–2 Brad Blackburn KO (punch) IFL: Championship 2006 June 3, 2006 2 0:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 9–2 Mike Pyle KO (punch) IFL: Legends Championship 2006 April 29, 2006 1 0:44 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 8–2 Trevor Garrett TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighting Organization 10 March 18, 2006 1 0:47 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 8–1 Brian Green KO (punch) Xtreme Fighting Organization 9 January 28, 2006 1 0:26 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 7–1 Mike Van Meer KO (punch) Extreme Challenge 64 October 15, 2005 1 1:48 Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win 6–1 Victor Moreno Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Challenge 61 April 22, 2005 1 4:16 Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win 5–1 Jimmy Boyd Submission (triangle choke) Xtreme Fighting Organization 5 March 19, 2005 1 2:13 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 4–1 James Warfield TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighting Organization 3 October 2, 2004 2 1:12 McHenry, Illinois, United States
Win 3–1 Ryan Williams Submission (triangle choke) Courage Fighting Championships 1 July 24, 2004 2 2:53 Decatur, Illinois, United States
Win 2–1 Jason Guida Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighting Organization 2 June 26, 2004 2 0:58 Fontana, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 1–1 Kurt Illeman TKO (cut) Extreme Challenge 55 December 5, 2003 1 1:26 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 John Bulger KO (punches) Extreme Challenge 54 October 12, 2003 1 0:59 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States

References

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  1. ^ "Rory Markham | Life After Hate". lifeafterhate.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23.
  2. ^ a b "Rory Markham | MMA Fighter Page".
  3. ^ [1][dead link]
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