Niko Price Scores First-Round TKO Over Leon Shahbazyan in UFC Return
Niko Price ended a short retirement and a four-fight losing streak with a decisive first-round TKO of Leon Shahbazyan on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Duncan. The welterweight bout took place Saturday night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas and lasted just 1:58 before referee intervention stopped the action.
Price entered the Octagon with a clear objective after stepping away following his March 28 loss to Michael Chiesa by rear-naked choke at 1:03 of the opening round in Seattle. That defeat capped a difficult stretch that also included a first-round TKO loss to Nikolay Veretennikov and earlier setbacks against Jacobe Smith and Themba Gorimbo. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby offered the veteran a chance to compete once more in what many expected to be a proper farewell.
Shahbazyan, the older brother of UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan, arrived seeking his first win inside the promotion. His UFC debut on June 20 ended in a 23-second TKO loss to Levan Chokheli after a four-fight winning streak built primarily on guillotine chokes and other submissions. The 30-year-old grappler carried a professional record of 12-5 entering the night and had never won a decision in his career.
Price wasted little time establishing forward pressure. He landed early punches along the cage, secured top control, and avoided submission attempts from the bottom, including a guillotine. Once in a dominant position, the 37-year-old unloaded ground-and-pound with punches and elbows. Shahbazyan covered up and looked for armbar opportunities, but Price continued the assault until the referee stepped in at the 1:58 mark.
The stoppage improved Price’s record to 17-11 with two no-contests and moved his UFC mark to 9-11. Shahbazyan dropped to 12-6 overall and 0-2 in the promotion. Official statistics showed Price landing a high volume of significant strikes while controlling the fight for the majority of the short contest.
After the finish, Price’s wife and daughter joined him inside the cage for an emotional celebration. In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, the veteran left the door open for future appearances. “Hey, if you guys call me, I might answer,” Price said. “Wink, wink, Shelby! … You might see me again, you never know.”
The result carries different implications for each fighter. For Price, the victory snaps a lengthy skid and provides a positive note after the awkward retirement moment in Seattle, where his departure was largely overshadowed by Chiesa’s own farewell. Even with the win, his recent form remains uneven, and any return would likely face similar matchmaking challenges at 170 pounds.
Shahbazyan’s second UFC loss in as many appearances raises questions about his durability against experienced strikers. While his submission game remains a clear strength on the regional circuit, both of his Octagon defeats have come by early stoppage. Improving his defensive striking and ability to weather initial pressure will be essential if he hopes to establish a foothold in the welterweight division.
Price’s comments suggest the UFC may not have seen the last of him, though no next fight has been announced. Shahbazyan will need to regroup after consecutive quick losses and could return later in the year against another mid-tier opponent while the promotion evaluates its welterweight roster.
