LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: (R-L) Niko Price punches Leon Shahbazyan in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on October 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/Zuffa LLC)
Welterweight Niko Price got a do-over for his retirement fight at UFC Vegas 122, after his original retirement bout saw him overshadowed by Michael Chiesa earlier this year.
A ten-year octagon veteran, Price was facing Leon Shahbazyan at the Meta Apex on Saturday, but in March it was Chiesa, who was also retiring, in Seattle. With the fight in Michael Chiesa’s backyard, Price became an afterthought, and didn’t even get a post-fight interview despite being a company man. Luckily, matchmakers called him to offer a proper send-off, resulting in the match-up with Shahbazyan, brother of UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan.
Price went right at Shahbazyan to kick things off on Saturday, landing a few punches on his way to a takedown, and avoided a guillotine when they went to the ground. He then got right back up, landing some old school foot stomps. Price next landed another takedown, working from guard and slamming Shahbazyan, the briefly turtled up then went to his back.
Price, clearly fired up and pushing the pace, unloaded a few big shots and almost slammed Shahbazyan again. Price was unloading and Shahbazyan looked hurt, but the ref let the fight go on. Price was in danger of punching himself out, but Shahbazyan still wasn’t defending, even when the ref ordered him to fight back. A few more punches, and that was all she wrote. The ref called it, and it was Price victorious one last time.
Niko Price came out hot in his final UFC fight, clearly looking for the finish, and got just that. One last vintage performance from “The Hybrid.” Who, as it turned out, was joined by his wife and daughter in the cage, and left the door open for more. “You might see me again, you never know,” Price told Michael Bisping. As he exited the octagon, fans at home were treated to one last highlight reel for Price.
Official Result: Niko Price def. Leon Shahbazyan by TKO, Round 1, 1:58