'Legend-getter' Niko Price ready to ruin Robbie Lawler's retirement fight at UFC 290

LAS VEGAS – Niko Price thinks the best way to show Robbie Lawler respect in his retirement fight is by sending him out on a loss.

Former UFC champ Lawler (29-16 MMA, 14-10 UFC) is set to walk away from the sport following Saturday’s welterweight bout with Price (15-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) at UFC 290 from T-Mobile Arena. It serves as the featured prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+ prior to the pay-per-view main card.

It’s always a tricky assignment for the opponent booked against an all-time great when they say farewell to MMA, but for Price, it’s not exactly a new situation. He fought Donald Cerrone at the tail end of his UFC tenure, as well, so he’s comfortable in this spot.

“It’s just another fight,” Price told MMA Junkie and other reporters at UFC 290 media day. “I’ve got to fight a few legends. It’s nothing new to me. He’s an opponent, and I’m going to try to get in there and punch him in the head.”

No matter the storylines going into UFC 290, this is a critical fight in Price’s career. He has just one win in his past five octagon appearances dating back to May 2020 and is under some pressure to get the job done to maintain good standing in the promotion.

It’s also important for Price to be in a position to keep getting assignments like the one with Lawler. He greatly enjoys facing the biggest and best names in MMA, and if he wants more opportunities, he needs to prove a point.

“If a ranking comes I’m not crying, but I want to fight all the legends,” Price said. “I want to be the legend getter, not the legend killer. I just want to get in there with all of them. Who knows what’s next? Only God knows the answer to that question. But I’m ready for any of them.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.