Niko Price
The Hybrid
USA
Short-notice add to Seattle card
Price will face Michael Chiesa in a welterweight matchup at UFC Seattle on March 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Price has lost five of his last six fights, including three in a row and two consecutive via stoppage. But, he provides value to the UFC as a willing participant to step in on short notice against a fellow aging veteran, this time being Chiesa, who is likely fighting in his retirement fight. Price has the edge in striking volume, but Chiesa is the far superior grappler, and given Price's poor takedown defense, it's likely this fight ends up on the mat sooner or later.
Price has lost five of his last six fights, including three in a row and two consecutive via stoppage. But, he provides value to the UFC as a willing participant to step in on short notice against a fellow aging veteran, this time being Chiesa, who is likely fighting in his retirement fight. Price has the edge in striking volume, but Chiesa is the far superior grappler, and given Price's poor takedown defense, it's likely this fight ends up on the mat sooner or later.
Fight Log
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Falls to 1-5 in past six fights
Price lost to Nikolay Veretennikov via TKO (punches) at 1:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The UFC elected to run Price back out there despite the fact he entered with a 1-4 mark in his past five fights, and he was unable to last two minutes. He ate a couple huge knees from Veretennikov early on before getting trapped along the fence and crushed with a half-dozen bombs. To Price's credit, he never dropped to the mat, but he was clearly out, and it was a smart stoppage by referee Chris Tognoni. Niko has been with the UFC since December 2016 and has been a company man the entire time, never turning down an opponent and fighting whenever the UFC has asked, but this has to be nearly the end of the line. 20 fights deep into his company run, Price is at 8-10 (2NC).
The UFC elected to run Price back out there despite the fact he entered with a 1-4 mark in his past five fights, and he was unable to last two minutes. He ate a couple huge knees from Veretennikov early on before getting trapped along the fence and crushed with a half-dozen bombs. To Price's credit, he never dropped to the mat, but he was clearly out, and it was a smart stoppage by referee Chris Tognoni. Niko has been with the UFC since December 2016 and has been a company man the entire time, never turning down an opponent and fighting whenever the UFC has asked, but this has to be nearly the end of the line. 20 fights deep into his company run, Price is at 8-10 (2NC).
Late add to Saturday card
Price will take on Nikolay Veretennikov in a welterweight matchup at UFC Vegas 113 on Saturday, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Price has lost back-to-back fights and four of his last five, so this short-notice opportunity may be the last chance for the 36-year-old to keep his UFC roster spot. He faces an opponent in Veretennikov who hasn't fared much better of late, losing three of his last four since entering the UFC in 2024. Price will have a slight reach advantage here, in addition to having much better volume striking numbers of the course of his UFC career.
Price has lost back-to-back fights and four of his last five, so this short-notice opportunity may be the last chance for the 36-year-old to keep his UFC roster spot. He faces an opponent in Veretennikov who hasn't fared much better of late, losing three of his last four since entering the UFC in 2024. Price will have a slight reach advantage here, in addition to having much better volume striking numbers of the course of his UFC career.
Falls to 1-4 in past five fights
Price lost to Jacobe Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of Round 2 at UFC 317 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Price has been a company man for a long time and a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, but it sure felt as if they threw him to the wolves here. To Niko's credit, he managed to last the better part of two rounds. That may not seem like a big deal, but he was roughly a +1100 underdog, so making it that long was far from guaranteed. Price fought hard, as is always the case, but he simply couldn't match the explosiveness and athleticism of Smith. Niko has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. He has just one win dating back to October 2021. A release could very well be in the cards.
Price has been a company man for a long time and a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, but it sure felt as if they threw him to the wolves here. To Niko's credit, he managed to last the better part of two rounds. That may not seem like a big deal, but he was roughly a +1100 underdog, so making it that long was far from guaranteed. Price fought hard, as is always the case, but he simply couldn't match the explosiveness and athleticism of Smith. Niko has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. He has just one win dating back to October 2021. A release could very well be in the cards.
Added to UFC 317 card
Price will face Jacobe Smith in a welterweight bout at UFC 317 on June 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This will be Price's first fight of the calendar year. His most recent bout, on Oct. 12, 2024, ended in a unanimous decision loss to Themba Gorimbo. Price is 35 years old and has gone 1-3 over his last four fights, so it wouldn't be surprising if this were his final fight with the company if he suffers another defeat.
This will be Price's first fight of the calendar year. His most recent bout, on Oct. 12, 2024, ended in a unanimous decision loss to Themba Gorimbo. Price is 35 years old and has gone 1-3 over his last four fights, so it wouldn't be surprising if this were his final fight with the company if he suffers another defeat.
Can't defend takedown in loss
Price lost to Themba Gorimbo via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Price cashed as a sizable (+210) underdog against Alex Morono in his last fight in June. He was unable to replicate that success on this evening. He gave up a whopping seven takedowns and 9:14 worth of control time to Gorimbo. Over the course of the 15 minute bout, Price was credited with 16 significant strikes landed. It was ugly from start to finish. Now 35 years of age, Price, a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, is 1-3 in his last four bouts. It wouldn't be a total shock to see the company cut bait given his recent struggles.
Price cashed as a sizable (+210) underdog against Alex Morono in his last fight in June. He was unable to replicate that success on this evening. He gave up a whopping seven takedowns and 9:14 worth of control time to Gorimbo. Over the course of the 15 minute bout, Price was credited with 16 significant strikes landed. It was ugly from start to finish. Now 35 years of age, Price, a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, is 1-3 in his last four bouts. It wouldn't be a total shock to see the company cut bait given his recent struggles.