American mixed martial arts fighter
Niko Price (born September 29, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship .
Background
Born and raised in Cape Coral, Florida ,[ 2] 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.[ 4] Price briefly went to college, studying criminal justice .[ 5] He started training mixed martial arts in 2008.[ 5]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After going undefeated (9–0) as an amateur, Price made his professional MMA debut in February 2012. Before joining the UFC Price amassed a record of 8–0 with 7 of his 8 wins coming by stoppages.[ 6]
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: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie against Alex Morono .[ 7] [ 8] 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.[ 9]
Price next faced Alan Jouban at UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno on August 5, 2017.[ 10] He won the fight via TKO in round one.[ 11] The win also earned Price his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 12]
Price was to face Luan Chagas on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida .[ 13] 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 .[ 14] 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.[ 15]
Price faced George Sullivan January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 .[ 16] He won the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[ 17]
Price was expected to face Belal Muhammad on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131 .[ 18] However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre .[ 19]
Price faced Randy Brown on July 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 133 .[ 20] He won the fight via knockout in the second round after landing several hammerfists from the bottom to knock Brown out.[ 21] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 22]
Price faced Abdul Razak Alhassan on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228 .[ 23] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 24]
Price faced Tim Means on March 9, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 4 .[ 25] He won via knockout in the first round, becoming the first man to finish Means by knockout in MMA competition.[ 26] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 27]
Price faced Geoff Neal on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240 .[ 28] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[ 29]
Price faced James Vick on October 12, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 19 .[ 30] He won the fight via knockout in round one after landing an upkick from the bottom to knock Vick out.[ 31] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 32]
Price was expected to face Muslim Salikhov on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris .[ 33] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the event was eventually postponed.[ 34]
On March 21, 2020, Price announced that he had signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[ 35]
Price was scheduled to face Vicente Luque in a rematch on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249 .[ 36] However, on April 9, Dana White , the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed[ 37] and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020.[ 38] He lost the fight via technical knockout due to doctor stoppage in round three.[ 39]
Price faced Donald Cerrone on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178 .[ 40] The fight was declared a majority draw.[ 41] 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.[ 42] 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.[ 43]
Price faced Michel Pereira on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264 .[ 44] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 45]
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Price faced Alex Oliveira on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192 .[ 46] [ 47] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 48]
Price faced Philip Rowe on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42 .[ 49] After knocking Rowe down in the earlier rounds, Price lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the third.[ 50]
Price faced former UFC Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler on July 8, 2023, at UFC 290 .[ 51] He was knocked out 38 seconds into the bout.[ 52]
Price was scheduled to face Jeremiah Wells on June 1, 2024 at UFC 302 .[ 53] However, Wells was pulled from the bout and was replaced with Alex Morono in a rematch.[ 54] Price won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 55]
Price is scheduled to face Themba Gorimbo on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244 .[ 56]
Professional grappling career
Price competed against Pat Sabatini at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[ 57] He lost the match by submission.[ 58]
Personal life
Niko and his wife Erica have six children.[ 59] On June 1, 2024 at the UFC 302 press conference, Price confirmed that he and his wife are expecting their seventh child.[ 60]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
25 matches
16 wins
7 losses
By knockout
10
5
By submission
3
1
By decision
3
1
No contests
2
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
16–7 (2)
Alex Morono
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 302
June 1, 2024
3
5:00
Newark, New Jersey , United States
Loss
15–7 (2)
Robbie Lawler
KO (punches)
UFC 290
July 8, 2023
1
0:38
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
15–6 (2)
Philip Rowe
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland
December 3, 2022
3
3:26
Orlando, Florida , United States
Catchweight (173.5 lb) bout; Rowe missed weight.
Win
15–5 (2)
Alex Oliveira
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker
October 2, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
14–5 (2)
Michel Pereira
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 264
July 10, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
NC
14–4 (2)
Donald Cerrone
NC (overturned)
UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley
September 19, 2020
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Price was deducted one point in round 1 for repeated eye pokes. Originally a majority draw; overturned after Price tested positive for carboxy THC .
Loss
14–4 (1)
Vicente Luque
TKO (doctor stoppage)
UFC 249
May 9, 2020
3
3:37
Jacksonville, Florida , United States
Win
14–3 (1)
James Vick
KO (upkick)
UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson
October 12, 2019
1
1:44
Tampa, Florida , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
13–3 (1)
Geoff Neal
TKO (punches)
UFC 240
July 27, 2019
2
2:39
Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
Win
13–2 (1)
Tim Means
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos
March 9, 2019
1
4:50
Wichita, Kansas , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
12–2 (1)
Abdul Razak Alhassan
KO (punch)
UFC 228
September 8, 2018
1
0:43
Dallas, Texas , United States
Win
12–1 (1)
Randy Brown
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov
July 14, 2018
2
1:09
Boise, Idaho , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
11–1 (1)
George Sullivan
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2
January 27, 2018
2
4:21
Charlotte, North Carolina , United States
Loss
10–1 (1)
Vicente Luque
Submission (D’Arce choke)
UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida
October 28, 2017
2
4:08
São Paulo , Brazil
Win
10–0 (1)
Alan Jouban
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno
August 5, 2017
1
1:44
Mexico City , Mexico
Performance of the Night.
NC
9–0 (1)
Alex Morono
NC (overturned)
UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie
February 4, 2017
2
5:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Originally a KO (punch) win for Price; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana .
Win
9–0
Brandon Thatch
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
UFC 207
December 30, 2016
1
4:30
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
8–0
Willie Hosch
Decision (unanimous)
Fight Time 32
August 12, 2016
3
5:00
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Win
7–0
Jose Caceres
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 30
April 22, 2016
1
1:31
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Defended the Fight Time Welterweight Championship.
Win
6–0
Maurice Salmon
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 26
July 17, 2015
1
2:38
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Won the Fight Time Welterweight Championship.
Win
5–0
Michael Lilly
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 23
February 6, 2015
2
1:05
Miami, Florida , United States
Win
4–0
Danilo Padilha Da Silva
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 21
November 7, 2014
1
0:22
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Win
3–0
David Hayes
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 20
August 29, 2014
1
3:07
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Win
2–0
Mikerson Lindor
TKO (punches)
Fight Time 19
May 30, 2014
1
4:59
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
Win
1–0
Alejandro Gomez
Submission (armbar)
Fight Time 8
February 17, 2012
1
2:49
Fort Lauderdale, Florida , United States
[ 64]
See also
References
^ Sherdog.com. "Niko" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2017-10-29 .
^ a b Jim Norton (April 20, 2020). "Niko Price & Bryce Mitchell" (Podcast).
^ Ben Fowlkes (December 30, 2016). "UFC 207 results: Niko Price taps Brandon Thatch with first-round arm-triangle choke" . MMAjunkie.com.
^ "Cape Coral native Niko Price brings exciting MMA fighting style to Tampa event" .
^ a b "Niko Price" . ufc.com . Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-04-23 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Niko" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2017-06-17 .
^ Staff (2017-01-24). "Niko Price replaces Sheldon Westcott at UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24 .
^ Steven Marrocco (2017-02-04). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Niko Price puts Alex Morono away with KO at Round 2 buzzer" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-04 .
^ "Three UFC Houston fighters pop for marijuana" . Bloody Elbow . Retrieved 2017-06-17 .
^ http://forums.ufcfightclub.com/topic/193460-alan-jouban-vs-niko-price-at-mexico-city-card/ [user-generated source ]
^ "UFC Fight Night 114 results: Niko Price TKOs Alan Jouban in 1st round to stay unbeaten" . MMAjunkie . 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-08-06 .
^ Staff (2017-08-06). "UFC Fight Night 114 bonuses: New record holder Dustin Ortiz among 4 fighters to earn $50K" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-06 .
^ "Three fights added to UFC Sao Paulo" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2017-09-15 .
^ DNA, MMA (6 October 2017). "Vicente Luque pakt short notice gevecht tegen Niko Price in São Paulo" . mmadna.nl . Retrieved 2017-10-07 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 119 results: Vicente Luque taps Niko Price with brilliant D'Arce choke" . MMAjunkie . 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2017-10-29 .
^ "With new additions, UFC Fight Night Charlotte card now boasts 11 bouts" . charlotteobserver . Retrieved 2017-12-20 .
^ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Niko Price chokes out George Sullivan in second round" . MMAjunkie . 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2018-01-28 .
^ Staff (2018-04-11). "UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica gets two new bouts" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2018-04-11 .
^ Staff (2018-05-22). "Belal Muhammad gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2018-05-22 .
^ Mark La Monica (2018-06-05). "Queens' Randy Brown booked for UFC Boise" . newsday.com. Retrieved 2018-06-05 .
^ "Watch Niko Price's incredible and violent hammerfist knockout from his back at UFC Boise" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2018-07-15 .
^ a b "UFC Fight Night 133 bonuses: You know Niko Price's hammerfists got him $50,000" . MMAjunkie . 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2018-07-15 .
^ Staff (2018-08-09). "Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Niko Price added to UFC 228 in Dallas" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-08-09 .
^ "UFC 228 results: Abdul Razak Alhassan blasts Niko Price in just 43 seconds" . MMAjunkie . 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2018-09-09 .
^ DNA, MMA (2 February 2019). "Violence Alert!! Niko Price vs. Tim Means toegevoegd aan UFC Wichita" . Retrieved 2019-02-02 .
^ Pearson, Andrew (2019-03-09). "Price KO's Means Outta Nowhere in Insane One-Round War" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 2019-03-10 .
^ a b Pearson, Andrew (2019-03-09). "UFC Fight Night 146 results: Junior dos Santos finishes Derrick Lewis in back-and-forth battle" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 2019-03-10 .
^ Farah Hannoun (2018-06-26). "Geoff Neal to fight Niko Price at UFC 240 in Edmonton" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2019-06-26 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-07-27). "UFC 240 Results: Geoff Neal Finishes Niko Price" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-07-28 .
^ King, Nolan (2019-08-26). "James Vick moves to welterweight, fights Niko Price at UFC on ESPN+ 19" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2019-08-26 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-10-12). "UFC Tampa Results: Niko Price Knocks Out James Vick With Upkick" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-10-13 .
^ a b "UFC on ESPN+ 19 bonuses: Cub Swanson-Kron Gracie slugfest earns 'Fight of the Night' " . MMA Junkie . 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2019-10-13 .
^ Farah Hannoun (2020-02-13). "Niko Price vs. Muslim Salikhov added to UFC on ESPN+ 30 in Portland" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved 2020-02-13 .
^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16 .
^ @Nikohybridprice (2020-03-21). "BREAKING NEWS!!! I forgot to mention I signed a new 4 fight contract 🙏🏼 I'm so blessed and thankful for the @ufc ! I'll be sure to keep it entertaining for you guys! #ufc #newcontract #LetsGo #glorytogod" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ ATSteveDuncan (2020-04-07). "Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price anunciado para UFC 249" . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2020-04-07 .
^ Brett Okamoto (2020-04-09). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18" . espn.com . Retrieved 2020-04-09 .
^ "REVISED – UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje Fight Card | MMAWeekly.com" . 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-05-03 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2020-05-09). "UFC 249 Results: Vicente Luque and Niko Price Deliver Fight of the Year Candidate" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-05-10 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (2020-08-14). "Donald Cerrone vs. Niko Price set for Sept. 19 UFC show" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2020-08-15 .
^ Martin, Damon (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 results: 'Cowboy' Cerrone vs. Niko Price ends in majority draw after eye-poke point deduction" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2020-09-20 .
^ John Morgan (2020-11-04). "Kevin Croom, Jose Flores issued NAC suspensions for marijuana use; Niko Price also cited" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-05 .
^ Damon Martin (December 2, 2020). "Niko Price suspended six months after testing positive for marijuana, 'Cowboy' Cerrone fight overturned to no-contest" . mmafighting.com.
^ Fight, Ag (2021-05-27). "UFC encaminha Michel Pereira vs Niko Price para evento liderado por McGregor" . uol.com.br . Retrieved 2021-05-27 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2021-07-10). "UFC 264 Results: Michel Pereira Defeats Niko Price In An Absolute Banger Fight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-07-11 .
^ John Morgan (2021-08-24). "Alex 'Cowboy' Oliveira vs. Niko Price set for UFC Fight Night 192" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved 2021-08-24 .
^ Niko Price [@Nikohybridprice] (August 25, 2021). "Me vs Olivera October 2nd!!! Also signed a new contract baby! You guys get at least 4 more fights outta me and I'll make them all entertaining!" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-02). "UFC Vegas 38 Results: Niko Price Wins Decision Over Alex Oliveira" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-10-03 .
^ Nolan King (2022-10-11). "Niko Price returns after 14-month layoff, faces Phil Rowe at UFC Orlando" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-10-11 .
^ Dewar, Val (3 December 2022). "UFC Orlando: Phil Rowe Mounts Comeback, Stops Niko Price in Third" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 5 December 2022 .
^ "UFC 290 adds Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price, Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner" . MMA Junkie . 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-05-16 .
^ Rush, Dylan (2023-07-08). "UFC 290: Robbie Lawler Triumphant in Retirement Fight, Floors Niko Price" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-07-09 .
^ Martinez, Diego (2024-04-04). "Niko Price vs. Jeremiah Wells incluido a UFC 302 - MMA al Día - Noticias de UFC, MMA y Boxeo" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-05 .
^ Martin, Damon (2024-04-18). "UFC 302 adds several fights to Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier card" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2024-05-13 .
^ Dewar, Val (2024-06-02). "UFC 302: Niko Price Raises Hand Again in Rematch With Alex Morono" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-06-02 .
^ Drake Riggs (2024-07-19). "Morning Report: Conor McGregor says Michael Chandler fight 'is rescheduled for the end of this calendar year' - Fight Announcements" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-19 .
^ Lindsey, Alex (7 December 2023). "Fury Pro Grappling 8 Lineup Stars Top MMA Fighters And BJJ Black Belts" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 7 December 2023 .
^ "Fury Pro Grappling 8 Full Results And Review" . Jitsmagazine . 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023 .
^ Dann Stupp (January 26, 2018). "Don't tell UFC on FOX 27's Niko Price – or his four kids – what they can do" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Napoleone, Dylan; Law, Eddie; Law, Dylan Napoleone and Eddie (2024-06-02). "Niko Price Not Slowing Down Following Morono Victory" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-06-03 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 114 bonuses: New record holder Dustin Ortiz among 4 fighters to earn $50K" . MMAjunkie . 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2017-08-07 .
^ "MMA Junkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for October: A crushing upkick finish" . mmajunkie.com. November 3, 2019.
^ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for May: A rematch delivers in spades" . mmajunkie.com. June 3, 2020.
^ Sherdog.com. "Niko" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2019-10-13 .
External links