Niko Price Gets True Retirement Fight at UFC Vegas 122

Niko Price will fight for the final time in his career this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, against Leon Shahbazyan on the UFC Vegas 122 preliminary card at the Apex in Las Vegas, after UFC matchmakers set up a proper send-off following his overshadowed farewell earlier this year.

Price announced his retirement during fight week at UFC Seattle before his bout with Michael Chiesa, only for Chiesa's own retirement to dominate the broadcast's attention that night. According to Price, UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby reached out afterward to offer him a cleaner ending. Price said he told Shelby the only way he'd fight again was if the promotion came to him directly with an offer, and that's exactly what happened.

"They were like, 'Would you like a proper retirement?' And I was like, 'Heck yeah, that sounds like fun. I'll take another fight,'" Price said. "Sean Shelby told me he wanted to call me because when I said I wanted to retire in Seattle, I surprised him, too. It was crazy. I said the only way I would take another fight was if UFC came to me and said, 'Here's the fight. Do you want it?' That's exactly what they said, word for word, and to me, that was God speaking."

Why Niko Price vs. Leon Shahbazyan Makes Sense as a Finale

The matchup with Leon Shahbazyan looks built for Price to walk away on his own terms rather than get run over. Shahbazyan's own Octagon debut went badly, as he was finished in a matter of seconds in his first UFC appearance. Pairing Price, a 16-11 fighter on a four-fight losing skid, with an opponent who has already shown vulnerability inside the cage reads like a deliberate choice by matchmakers to give a beloved action fighter a fair shot at ending his career with a win instead of another highlight-reel knockout loss.

Price has dropped his last two fights by first-round stoppage and sits at just 2-6 across his last eight appearances. None of that erases what he built over his UFC run. Few fighters on the roster matched his willingness to stand and trade, and "The Hybrid" became one of the promotion's most reliable bonus earners regardless of the result on the scorecard.

Betting Angle

Given Price's recent skid and the stoppage losses piling up, sportsbooks are likely to treat him as the betting underdog here even against an opponent who struggled in his own debut. The matchup profile suggests oddsmakers see this as competitive rather than a mismatch in either direction, since Shahbazyan's fast finish loss raises real questions about his durability and composure under pressure. For bettors, the interesting angle isn't the moneyline so much as the method and round props. Price has been stopped early in each of his last two fights, so anyone backing him likely wants him to get back to imposing his own violent pace rather than letting the fight drag into deeper waters. A finish for either fighter inside round one or two would fit the recent trend for both men.

What's Next for Niko Price

Price has made clear this is meant to be it, win or lose. "Yeah, no, I'm feeling pretty accomplished in my career," he said. "I'm going to end it with this one. If a golden nugget comes up, you can't turn down a golden nugget. It's as simple as that." Barring some unexpected opportunity, Saturday's fight against Shahbazyan is set to close the book on one of the UFC welterweight division's most entertaining, if unpredictable, careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Niko Price fighting in his retirement fight?

Niko Price faces Leon Shahbazyan on the UFC Vegas 122 preliminary card on Oct. 10, 2026, at the Apex in Las Vegas.

Why did Niko Price get a second retirement fight?

Price's original retirement bout against Michael Chiesa at UFC Seattle was overshadowed because Chiesa was also retiring that night, so UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby offered Price another fight for a proper send-off.

What is Niko Price's UFC record heading into his final fight?

Niko Price enters the Leon Shahbazyan fight with a 16-11 record overall, having lost his last four fights, including back-to-back first-round stoppage losses.