Nikolay Veretennikov
Kazakhstan
Obliterated by Khaos Williams
Veretennikov lost to Khaos Williams via TKO (punches) at 3:31 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a truly dreadful performance from Veretennikov in what was a pick 'em fight. He was simply unable to get out of first gear, as Williams led the dance the entire brief way. The finish came after Veretennikov ate a huge flurry of punches with about 90 seconds left in the frame, forcing referee Chris Tognoni to step in. Veretennikov is 36 years old and sporting a 2-4 record in his first half-dozen UFC fights, so poor efforts like this one are to be expected. He needs to rebound his next time out.
It was a truly dreadful performance from Veretennikov in what was a pick 'em fight. He was simply unable to get out of first gear, as Williams led the dance the entire brief way. The finish came after Veretennikov ate a huge flurry of punches with about 90 seconds left in the frame, forcing referee Chris Tognoni to step in. Veretennikov is 36 years old and sporting a 2-4 record in his first half-dozen UFC fights, so poor efforts like this one are to be expected. He needs to rebound his next time out.
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Taking on Williams
Veretennikov will take on Khaos Williams in a welterweight bout at a UFC event in Las Vegas on May 16, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov obliterated Niko Price his last time in the Octagon, disposing of his opponent less than two minutes into the first round of a fight back in February. He'll look for his second straight win and to even his UFC record at 3-3 against a fighter in Williams who hasn't won in almost two years and is 0-2 his last two times in the Octagon.
Veretennikov obliterated Niko Price his last time in the Octagon, disposing of his opponent less than two minutes into the first round of a fight back in February. He'll look for his second straight win and to even his UFC record at 3-3 against a fighter in Williams who hasn't won in almost two years and is 0-2 his last two times in the Octagon.
Destroys Niko Price
Veretennikov defeated Niko Price via TKO (punches) at 1:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov's offensive arsenal is really limited, but he has massive power and facing a struggling opponent that doesn't move his head off the center line was a best-case scenario. Veretennikov was able to corner him along the fence and land a half-dozen bombs which put Price away despite the fact he never hit the canvas. Veretennikov turned 36 years of age in late-December and is just 2-3 in his first five UFC fights, so there's not exactly a ton of upside here, but he's capable of dominant performances such as this one given his massive power.
Veretennikov's offensive arsenal is really limited, but he has massive power and facing a struggling opponent that doesn't move his head off the center line was a best-case scenario. Veretennikov was able to corner him along the fence and land a half-dozen bombs which put Price away despite the fact he never hit the canvas. Veretennikov turned 36 years of age in late-December and is just 2-3 in his first five UFC fights, so there's not exactly a ton of upside here, but he's capable of dominant performances such as this one given his massive power.
Opponent switch this weekend
Veretennikov will now take on Niko Price in a welterweight matchup at UFC Vegas 113 on Saturday, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov was originally filling in for Eric Nolan on the card and supposed to face Jose Henrique Souza, but now Souza dropped out for undisclosed reasons. In steps Price, a UFC veteran all the way back to 2016, but a fighter who has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. Veretennikov is in a similar position with his back against the wall, having lost three of four since joining the UFC in 2024. Price has a much better mark in terms of volume striking, though that figure is admittedly bolstered by his early-career numbers.
Veretennikov was originally filling in for Eric Nolan on the card and supposed to face Jose Henrique Souza, but now Souza dropped out for undisclosed reasons. In steps Price, a UFC veteran all the way back to 2016, but a fighter who has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. Veretennikov is in a similar position with his back against the wall, having lost three of four since joining the UFC in 2024. Price has a much better mark in terms of volume striking, though that figure is admittedly bolstered by his early-career numbers.
Filling in for Nolan
Veretennikov will fight Jose Henrique Souza at UFC Vegas 113 on Feb. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The 36-year-old will be fighting in place of Eric Nolan, who withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons. Veretennikov will surely be desperate for a win after dropping three of his first four fights in the UFC, and a loss against a debutant who will have a five-inch reach advantage could put his future in the promotion in question.
The 36-year-old will be fighting in place of Eric Nolan, who withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons. Veretennikov will surely be desperate for a win after dropping three of his first four fights in the UFC, and a loss against a debutant who will have a five-inch reach advantage could put his future in the promotion in question.
Inconsistent ways continue
Veretennikov lost to Punahele Soriano via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov picked up his first UFC victory in three attempts his last time out with a split decision win over Francisco Prado, but he went right back to his struggling ways here in a fight which was a terrible stylistic matchup for him. Soriano is a power wrestler, and Veretennikov brings very little grappling to the table. His lone offensive flurries in this fight were a handful of guillotine attempts. Considering Nikolay entered with just one career win via submission, it's not surprising nothing ended up materializing. Set to turn 36 years of age in December, Veretennikov's roster spot would appear to be in doubt.
Veretennikov picked up his first UFC victory in three attempts his last time out with a split decision win over Francisco Prado, but he went right back to his struggling ways here in a fight which was a terrible stylistic matchup for him. Soriano is a power wrestler, and Veretennikov brings very little grappling to the table. His lone offensive flurries in this fight were a handful of guillotine attempts. Considering Nikolay entered with just one career win via submission, it's not surprising nothing ended up materializing. Set to turn 36 years of age in December, Veretennikov's roster spot would appear to be in doubt.