TLDR
- Niko Price retired immediately after losing to Michael Chiesa via rear-naked choke at 1:03 of round one
- Price left his gloves in the Octagon following the UFC Seattle main card bout
- The loss marked Price’s fourth consecutive defeat in the UFC
- Michael Chiesa also retired after the fight in his hometown of Seattle
- Both fighters ended their UFC careers in the same bout on Saturday night
Sources: RotoBaller | MMA Junkie | Sherdog | ESPN MMA
UFC veteran Niko Price announced his retirement Saturday night after suffering a first-round submission loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Seattle. The fight lasted just 1:03 before Chiesa secured the finish with a rear-naked choke.
Price left his gloves in the center of the Octagon immediately following the defeat. The gesture is a traditional way for fighters to signal the end of their competitive careers.
Quick Finish Ends Price’s UFC Run
Chiesa took Price down quickly after the opening bell and immediately moved to take his back. Once in position, Chiesa locked in the rear-naked choke and forced Price to tap out before the two-minute mark of the first round.
The loss was Price’s fourth straight defeat inside the Octagon. He had been struggling to find his form in recent fights and decided the quick submission loss would be his last.
Price competed in the UFC welterweight division for several years. He was known for his exciting fighting style and willingness to engage in striking battles.
Daniel Cormier has justified not interviewing Niko Price in the wake of his defeat against Michael Chiesa at #UFCSeattle even though Price was also retiring on the night:
Via: @dc_mma pic.twitter.com/YQUsMJhN4G
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) March 30, 2026
Chiesa Also Retires in Hometown
The UFC Seattle event turned into a double retirement as Chiesa also hung up his gloves following his victory. Chiesa fought in front of his hometown crowd, with family and friends in attendance to watch his final performance.
The Seattle native had announced beforehand that this would be his last fight. The UFC gave him a main card spot in his home city for his sendoff.
Chiesa’s retirement came on a winning note, unlike Price who ended his career on a losing skid. Both fighters competed in the welterweight division throughout most of their UFC tenures.
The quick finish meant neither fighter took much damage in their final professional bout. Chiesa’s submission skills proved too much for Price, who was unable to defend the takedown or escape the back control.
Fans in attendance witnessed both retirements live as the fighters addressed the crowd after the fight. The back-to-back announcements created an emotional atmosphere inside the arena.
Price’s four-fight losing streak included losses to various welterweight contenders. He was unable to recapture the success he had earlier in his UFC career.
Chiesa has been with the UFC for many years, competing on multiple seasons of The Ultimate Fighter before earning his contract. He fought at both lightweight and welterweight during his time with the promotion.
The UFC Seattle card featured the double retirement as one of the main storylines of the evening. Both Price and Chiesa received recognition from the promotion for their years of service.
