Niko Price

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, 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.

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.

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. 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: Pettis vs. Moreno 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: Brunson vs. Machida. 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: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2. 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 on ESPN+ 4. 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 on ESPN+ 19. 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 is scheduled to face Themba Gorimbo on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.

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
 * MMAJunkie.com
 * 2019 October Knockout of the Month vs. James Vick
 * 2020 May Fight of the Month vs. Vicente Luque