- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Cape Coral Today
By the People, for the People
UFC Veteran Niko Price Retires After Awkward Final Fight
Price's retirement didn't go as planned, as he was overlooked for a post-fight interview after his last bout.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:04am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
UFC welterweight Niko Price retired after a loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Night 271 in Seattle. Price, who had planned to retire before accepting the short-notice fight, was disappointed that the UFC production team did not give him a proper sendoff, failing to interview him or let him take a picture with his gloves after the fight.
Why it matters
Niko Price's retirement after a decade-long UFC career highlights the bittersweet nature of how fighters' careers can end, even for veterans who have built a loyal fanbase. The UFC's handling of Price's final fight raised questions about how the promotion treats retiring fighters and whether more should be done to honor their contributions.
The details
Price, 36, made his final UFC walk on short notice, stepping in to fight Michael Chiesa, another veteran who was also retiring. Price was quickly submitted in the first round, but his disappointment came after the fight when he was passed over for a post-fight interview. Despite letting the UFC know he was retiring, Price was left standing while the production focused solely on Chiesa's sendoff, including a picture with Price's gloves.
- Niko Price debuted for the UFC in December 2016.
- Price fought in the UFC for a decade, compiling an 8-11 record.
- Price announced his retirement plans before accepting the fight with Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Night 271 on April 1, 2026.
- Price lost to Chiesa via first-round submission on April 1, 2026.
The players
Niko Price
A 36-year-old UFC welterweight who competed in the promotion for a decade before retiring after his loss to Michael Chiesa.
Michael Chiesa
A UFC welterweight who was also retiring after his fight against Niko Price at UFC Fight Night 271.
What they’re saying
“I had to stand there and watch his whole thing, and they're like, 'Yeah, you're going to get mic time.' I'm like, 'Alright, cool.' Then I'm like, 'Why am I not getting mic time?' Then, I was like, 'Whatever, don't worry, but can I leave? I don't want to stay here no more.' Then I told my coach because they didn't even send me off at all. They went to my gloves, and then they took a picture of him with my gloves. I was like, 'Nooo, I wanted to do that picture with my gloves.'”
— Niko Price, UFC Fighter
The takeaway
Niko Price's retirement highlights the need for the UFC to better honor the careers of veteran fighters, even those who may not be superstars. The promotion should ensure retiring fighters receive a proper sendoff, including post-fight interviews and the opportunity to take meaningful photos, to provide closure for the fighters and their fans.
