Niko Price

Nicholas Gordon "Niko" Price (born September 29, 1989) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Born and raised in Cape Coral, Florida, Price attended Mariner High School where he played linebacker for the school's football team. Upon graduating, Price began training in kickboxing, winning two bouts both via knockout. Price briefly went to college, studying criminal justice. He started training mixed martial arts in 2008.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Price made his promotional debut for the UFC at UFC 207 against Brandon Thatch. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Price next fight came at UFC Fight Night 104 against Alex Morono. He won the fight via knockout in the second round; however, this was later overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for marijuana.

Price next faced Alan Jouban at UFC Fight Night 114 on August 5, 2017. He won the fight via TKO in round one. The win also earned Price his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Price was to face Luan Chagas on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119. On October 6, it was announced that Chagas had pulled out of the bout due to a fractured foot and was replaced by Vicente Luque. Price lost the fight via D'Arce variation of the brabo in Brazil or D’Arce choke submission after a combination of strikes had him appearing out on his feet in round two.

Price faced George Sullivan January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27. He won the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Price was expected to face Belal Muhammad on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131. However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre.

Price faced Randy Brown on July 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 133. He won the fight via knockout in the second round after landing several hammerfists from the bottom to knock Brown out. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Price faced Abdul Razak Alhassan on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Price faced Tim Means on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146. He won via knockout in the first round, becoming the first man to finish Means by knockout in MMA competition. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Price faced Geoff Neal on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Price faced James Vick on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 161. He won the fight via knockout in round one after landing an upkick from the bottom to knock Vick out. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.

Price was expected to face Muslim Salikhov on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.

On March 21, 2020, Price announced that he had signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.

Price was scheduled to face Vicente Luque in a rematch on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020. He lost the fight via technical knockout due to doctor stoppage in round three.

Price faced Donald Cerrone on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178. The fight was declared a majority draw. On November 4, it was announced that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) issued a temporary suspension for Price, after he tested positive for carboxy THC in a drug test related to his fight. On December 2, 2020, it was announced that the bout was overturned to no contest and Price was suspended for six months and fined $8,500.

Price faced Michel Pereira on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Price faced Alex Oliveira on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Price faced Philip Rowe on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42. After knocking Rowe down in the earlier rounds, Price lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the third.

Price faced former UFC Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler on July 8, 2023, at UFC 290. He was knocked out 38 seconds into the bout.

Price was scheduled to face Jeremiah Wells on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302. However, Wells was pulled from the bout and was replaced with Alex Morono in a rematch. Price won the fight by unanimous decision.

Price faced Themba Gorimbo on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Price faced Jacobe Smith on June 28, 2025 at UFC 317. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Replacing promotional newcomer José Henrique Souza who withdrew for undisclosed reasons, Price faced Nikolay Veretennikov on February 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 266. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Replacing Carlston Harris who withdrew due to visa issues, Price faced Michael Chiesa on March 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 271 in his retirement fight. He lost the fight via a rear-naked submission in the first round and retired from mixed martial arts competition after the bout.

Professional grappling career Price competed against Pat Sabatini at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023. He lost the match by submission.

Personal life Niko and his wife Erica have six children. On June 1, 2024 at the UFC 302 press conference, Price confirmed that he and his wife are expecting their seventh child.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Alan Jouban, Randy Brown, Tim Means and James Vick UFC.com Awards 2018: Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year 2019: Ranked #4 Knockout of the Year 2020: Ranked #10 Fight of the Year MMA Junkie 2019 October Knockout of the Month vs. James Vick 2020 May Fight of the Month vs. Vicente Luque CBS Sports 2019 #2 Ranked UFC Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Michael Chiesa Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Nikolay Veretennikov KO (elbow and punches) UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jacobe Smith Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 317

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Themba Gorimbo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alex Morono Decision (unanimous) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Robbie Lawler KO (punches) UFC 290

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Philip Rowe TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Alex Oliveira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Michel Pereira Decision (unanimous) UFC 264

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States NC

Donald Cerrone NC (overturned) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Vicente Luque TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 249

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

James Vick KO (upkick) UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson

Tampa, Florida, United States Loss

Geoff Neal TKO (punches) UFC 240

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Tim Means KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos

Wichita, Kansas, United States Loss

Abdul Razak Alhassan KO (punch) UFC 228

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Randy Brown KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov

Boise, Idaho, United States Win

George Sullivan Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Loss

Vicente Luque Submission (D’Arce choke) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Alan Jouban TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno

Mexico City, Mexico NC

Alex Morono NC (overturned) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Brandon Thatch Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 207

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Willie Hosch Decision (unanimous) Fight Time 32

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Jose Caceres TKO (punches) Fight Time 30

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Maurice Salmon TKO (punches) Fight Time 26

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Michael Lilly TKO (punches) Fight Time 23

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Danilo Padilha Da Silva TKO (punches) Fight Time 21

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

David Hayes TKO (punches) Fight Time 20

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Mikerson Lindor TKO (punches) Fight Time 19

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Alejandro Gomez Submission (armbar) Fight Time 8

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States