Nikolay Veretennikov
Kazakhstan
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.
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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.
Fighting at UFC 320
Veretennikov will fight Punahele Soriano at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov will look to build upon his first UFC win, which came via split decision in July against Francisco Prado. Veretennikov dropped his first two UFC bouts. Soriano has won both of his matches since switching from middleweight to welterweight.
Veretennikov will look to build upon his first UFC win, which came via split decision in July against Francisco Prado. Veretennikov dropped his first two UFC bouts. Soriano has won both of his matches since switching from middleweight to welterweight.
Finally earns first UFC win
Veretennikov defeated Francisco Prado via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
A loser in each of his first two UFC bouts, Veretennikov was almost certainly fighting for his job here and should thank his lucky stars that two of the three thought he did enough to win. Veretennikov started quickly, outworking Prado early on. He was clearly up a round and apparently cruising to a 20-18 lead, at which point he gassed out and let Prado back in the fight. Veretennikov has some power, but his takedown defense is awful, and his cardio isn't much better. The win should ensure he gets another shot with the company, but little should be expected.
A loser in each of his first two UFC bouts, Veretennikov was almost certainly fighting for his job here and should thank his lucky stars that two of the three thought he did enough to win. Veretennikov started quickly, outworking Prado early on. He was clearly up a round and apparently cruising to a 20-18 lead, at which point he gassed out and let Prado back in the fight. Veretennikov has some power, but his takedown defense is awful, and his cardio isn't much better. The win should ensure he gets another shot with the company, but little should be expected.