Niko Price Will Face Leon Shahbazyan in Las Vegas
Niko Price returns to the octagon on October 10 for his final retirement fight.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Will Niko Price definitively retire from professional fighting after his match on October 10, 2026?
Niko Price will face Leon Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 122 on October 10. The fight serves as a formal retirement farewell for Price following his initial, overshadowed announcement in Seattle.
Why it matters
The promotion organized this matchup to provide Price with a proper career send-off after his first retirement was eclipsed by Michael Chiesas departure. Price intends to conclude his career after the event unless presented with a highly lucrative offer.
Niko Price carries a 16-11 professional MMA record into the bout. He is currently on a four-fight losing streak and has suffered first-round stoppage defeats in his two most recent appearances.
The players
Niko Price
Niko Price is a professional mixed martial artist currently holding a 16-11 record who is preparing for his final fight.
Leon Shahbazyan
Leon Shahbazyan is a professional mixed martial artist scheduled to compete against Niko Price in Las Vegas.
Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa is a professional mixed martial artist whose previous retirement announcement overshadowed the initial departure of Niko Price.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a global mixed martial arts promotion that organizes major competitive events like UFC Vegas 122.
The details
UFC matchmakers personally approached Price to offer this secondary retirement fight at the Meta Apex. The pairing aims to honor his career path after his last exit at UFC Seattle failed to receive the intended attention.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: Niko Price fights Leon Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 122.
Season Trajectory
This matchup functions as an isolated career exit rather than a shift in divisional title contention. The fight concludes a tenure marked by recent struggles and allows the organization to finalize a roster change for the welterweight class.
Price enters this bout needing to break a four-fight losing streak to avoid ending his career on a five-match skid. His performance will be closely scrutinized by analysts regarding the efficacy of his late-career adjustments.
The takeaway
Fighters often seek a definitive moment of closure when their initial exit from the sport is compromised by external circumstances. This bout highlights the importance of the promotion in managing the professional narratives of their retiring athletes.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the sport, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Live Poll
Will Niko Price definitively retire from professional fighting after his match on October 10, 2026?
