Niko Price reflects on retiring from MMA with a win

Niko Price is one of few UFC fighters who can say that they've fought in the promotion for a decade. However, this past weekend, it was time for him to hang up his gloves and call it a career. Fortunately, he ended his career on a positive note that left him more than elated.

A feel-good ending for Niko Price

UFC Vegas 122 went about as well as it could have for Niko Price, who TKO'd Leon Shahbazyan in round one. The win was his first since since 2024 and it snapped a four-fight losing streak that sparked several retirement calls. Well, Price is now retired, having enjoyed a more positive ending compared to his previous retirement, which he later undid, at UFC Fight Night 271, when Michael Chiesa submitted him in round one. This time, he was determined to retire on a win, and according to a recent interview he had with Ariel Helwani, he knew he was going to (3:29):

"God told me I wasn't losing. So, I was enjoying every second."

However, the win itself paled in comparison to having the chance to celebrate his career with his familly, as his wife and daughter entered the octagon to share the moment with him (4:51):

"Crazy. So crazy. When I found them I was jumping up and down over the cage like, 'Yeah, what's up?' But then I turned around and then I went to go line up and get my hand raised, and then my daughter and my wife were in there and I was like, 'Yes! I just made... we made memories right there. That's awesome.' My wife got to step into the UFC cage. My daughter got to step into the UFC cage."

At one point, Price was an exciting fighter in the welterweight division. He had dynamite in his hands and was undefeated, with a 10-0 (1) record after his first three UFC fights, two of which he won, while the third one, which was originally a win, was overturned after Price tested positive for marijuana. Unfortunately, the hype of that run ended at UFC Fight Night 119, when Vicente Luque submitted him in round two. While he still managed to get a few wins after the loss, his ceiling was clear, and he never went on another tear.

He did, however, share the cage with legends like Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone and ex-UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. The fight with 'Cowboy,' which took place at UFC Vegas 11, ended in a majority draw, which was overturned after Price tested positive for a THC metabolite. Meanwhile, the fight with Lawler, at UFC 290, ended in a first-round knockout loss. It's been a tough career, but now Price can enjoy his future with his family.