Niko Price Will Return for Retirement Fight on October 10

The 37-year-old UFC veteran will face Leon Shahbazyan at the Apex to secure a final career send-off.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Niko Price Will Return for Retirement Fight on October 10

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UFC veteran Niko Price is set to return from retirement for one final bout against Leon Shahbazyan on October 10, 2026. The 37-year-old fighter accepted the match after the UFC reached out to offer him a proper retirement send-off.

Why it matters

Price opted for this return to ensure he receives an official retirement speech, which he did not get following his loss to Michael Chiesa in March 2026. This bout marks the conclusion of a career that saw him endure four consecutive losses.

Niko Price, currently 37, heads into this match carrying four consecutive career losses. His last outing resulted in a loss to Michael Chiesa in March 2026.

The players

Niko Price

He is a 37-year-old professional mixed martial artist and veteran of the UFC.

Leon Shahbazyan

He is an active professional fighter who will compete against Niko Price in his final career match.

Sean Shelby

He is a long-time UFC executive and matchmaker responsible for coordinating bout agreements.

Michael Chiesa

He is a professional UFC fighter who defeated Niko Price in March 2026.

Stephen Thompson

He is a veteran UFC fighter scheduled to have his own retirement bout at UFC 334.

The details

After initially retiring earlier this year, Price was contacted by Sean Shelby with an offer for one final fight at the UFC Apex. Price accepted the proposal to face Leon Shahbazyan, aiming to close his professional fighting tenure with an official ceremony.

June 2024: Price defeated Alex Morono at UFC 302.
March 2026: Price lost to Michael Chiesa and initially retired.
October 10, 2026: Price fights Leon Shahbazyan at the Apex.
November 14, 2026: Stephen Thompson has a retirement bout at UFC 334.

The Big Picture

This bout follows the established organizational precedents for veteran retirements within the UFC. It demonstrates a rare case where a fighter returns specifically to reconcile a lack of formal recognition during their initial exit.

Price is looking to end a streak of four consecutive losses before finalizing his career status. This event serves as his last opportunity to influence his legacy records before his retirement becomes permanent.

The takeaway

Fighters often prioritize formal recognition and closure as they reach the end of their professional tenure. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of organizational support in managing athlete transitions from the octagon to retirement.