Niko Price
The Hybrid
USA
Falls to 1-4 in past five fights
Price lost to Jacobe Smith via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 of Round 2 at UFC 317 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Price has been a company man for a long time and a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, but it sure felt as if they threw him to the wolves here. To Niko's credit, he managed to last the better part of two rounds. That may not seem like a big deal, but he was roughly a +1100 underdog, so making it that long was far from guaranteed. Price fought hard, as is always the case, but he simply couldn't match the explosiveness and athleticism of Smith. Niko has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. He has just one win dating back to October 2021. A release could very well be in the cards.
Price has been a company man for a long time and a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, but it sure felt as if they threw him to the wolves here. To Niko's credit, he managed to last the better part of two rounds. That may not seem like a big deal, but he was roughly a +1100 underdog, so making it that long was far from guaranteed. Price fought hard, as is always the case, but he simply couldn't match the explosiveness and athleticism of Smith. Niko has fallen on hard times of late, losing four of his last five. He has just one win dating back to October 2021. A release could very well be in the cards.
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Added to UFC 317 card
Price will face Jacobe Smith in a welterweight bout at UFC 317 on June 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This will be Price's first fight of the calendar year. His most recent bout, on Oct. 12, 2024, ended in a unanimous decision loss to Themba Gorimbo. Price is 35 years old and has gone 1-3 over his last four fights, so it wouldn't be surprising if this were his final fight with the company if he suffers another defeat.
This will be Price's first fight of the calendar year. His most recent bout, on Oct. 12, 2024, ended in a unanimous decision loss to Themba Gorimbo. Price is 35 years old and has gone 1-3 over his last four fights, so it wouldn't be surprising if this were his final fight with the company if he suffers another defeat.
Can't defend takedown in loss
Price lost to Themba Gorimbo via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Price cashed as a sizable (+210) underdog against Alex Morono in his last fight in June. He was unable to replicate that success on this evening. He gave up a whopping seven takedowns and 9:14 worth of control time to Gorimbo. Over the course of the 15 minute bout, Price was credited with 16 significant strikes landed. It was ugly from start to finish. Now 35 years of age, Price, a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, is 1-3 in his last four bouts. It wouldn't be a total shock to see the company cut bait given his recent struggles.
Price cashed as a sizable (+210) underdog against Alex Morono in his last fight in June. He was unable to replicate that success on this evening. He gave up a whopping seven takedowns and 9:14 worth of control time to Gorimbo. Over the course of the 15 minute bout, Price was credited with 16 significant strikes landed. It was ugly from start to finish. Now 35 years of age, Price, a member of the UFC roster since December 2016, is 1-3 in his last four bouts. It wouldn't be a total shock to see the company cut bait given his recent struggles.
Will face Gorimbo
Price will take on Themba Gorimbo in a welterweight bout at a UFC event on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Price is coming off a great win, besting Alex Morono as an underdog via unanimous decision on June 1. That pushed Price's UFC record to 8-7-0, and ended a two-fight losing streak for the fighter in the promotion. His opponent Gorimbo, meanwhile, has won three fights in a row and carries plenty of momentum into this October showdown. Price will look to stack UFC victories for the first time since 2017.
Price is coming off a great win, besting Alex Morono as an underdog via unanimous decision on June 1. That pushed Price's UFC record to 8-7-0, and ended a two-fight losing streak for the fighter in the promotion. His opponent Gorimbo, meanwhile, has won three fights in a row and carries plenty of momentum into this October showdown. Price will look to stack UFC victories for the first time since 2017.
Comes through as sizeable underdog
Price defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
This fight was a rematch of one that took place in 2017 in which Price technically knocked out Morono, but the fight was overturned when he tested positive for marijuana. It may seem odd that "The Hybrid" was such a large underdog (+210), as he has kept the same ferocity and volume despite a rocky road of late. That pressure began to wear on Morono as early as Round 1, and by the third frame, "The Great White" looked like he could barely stand. This allowed Price to pour on the aggression and secure the victory. Price is probably destined to be the action fighter who wins some and loses some for the rest of his career, but he will be fun to watch for as long as it lasts. Price improved to 16-7 in professional MMA due to the victory.
This fight was a rematch of one that took place in 2017 in which Price technically knocked out Morono, but the fight was overturned when he tested positive for marijuana. It may seem odd that "The Hybrid" was such a large underdog (+210), as he has kept the same ferocity and volume despite a rocky road of late. That pressure began to wear on Morono as early as Round 1, and by the third frame, "The Great White" looked like he could barely stand. This allowed Price to pour on the aggression and secure the victory. Price is probably destined to be the action fighter who wins some and loses some for the rest of his career, but he will be fun to watch for as long as it lasts. Price improved to 16-7 in professional MMA due to the victory.
To return at UFC 302
Price will take on Jeremiah Wells in a welterweight matchup at UFC 302 on June 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It's quite possibly the last call for Price, who was finished by a since-retired Robbie Lawler last July and his just one win in six trips to the Octagon since the calendar turned to 2020. He'll actually be younger than his opponent here, however, and will be facing a fighter in Wells who has dropped back-to-back fights as well. Price enters with height and reach advantages, plus a major statistical edge in terms of volume striking. Wells is a fighter who leans on his wrestling, so Price's 66 percent takedown defense will have to hold up if he has any hope of success.
It's quite possibly the last call for Price, who was finished by a since-retired Robbie Lawler last July and his just one win in six trips to the Octagon since the calendar turned to 2020. He'll actually be younger than his opponent here, however, and will be facing a fighter in Wells who has dropped back-to-back fights as well. Price enters with height and reach advantages, plus a major statistical edge in terms of volume striking. Wells is a fighter who leans on his wrestling, so Price's 66 percent takedown defense will have to hold up if he has any hope of success.