Fan-favorites Niko Price and Robbie Lawler go head-to-head in what can be considered another BMF matchup for the UFC.

July 5th, 2023

I know you’re a Floridian, but it’s got to be nice to get away from this humidity over there in Vegas, right?
Niko- Dude, it’s like an air fryer out here. I went for a little run yesterday and my throat was burning. My nose was burning. It felt like I was just sitting in an oven. So, I actually prefer the humidity.

So, a big fight is coming up right around the corner with the Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler. What’s it like knowing that you’re taking on a guy that’s got retirement in the back of his mind? Do you think he’s going to kind of bring it win or lose, just going all out it?
Niko- Yeah, I feel like he’s gonna come in and really try to finish his journey, an awesome journey, really, with a ‘W.’ He’s had a great career and my way to honor him is to give everything that I got , but leave him with an ‘L.”

And considering you’re always pushing the pace in your fights, do you have to be a little bit more tentative considering Robbie’s big counter?
Niko- Oh, yeah, I’ve got to be a little smarter, you know, pay attention. As we’re throwing fire, I gotta have my awareness on 1000% and be ready for his counters and then expose him immediately after them.

Without giving away any type of a game plan, is there a sort of weakness that you see with Robbie, that you’re looking to expose?
Niko- Not really, he’s got great counter great power, great movement and he puts people to sleep so I’m just going in there to be the best Niko I could be.

Considering that Robbie’s accumulated a lot of mileage on his body, do you think that’ll be an advantage for you since you’re the younger fighter?
Niko- Yeah, that might be one of my advantages just being younger and not being in as many fights as him, but I’ve been in a lot of wars myself. I just feel like we’re both going in there to give it everything we got for the fans.

Between the two of you, you have 9 Fight of the Night awards so fans should really expect the two of you collectively to hit double-digits after this fight?
Niko- I’m not going to be reluctant or anything. He’s going to get the best Niko that he’s ever seen. This camp I went up to Milwaukee, away from my family for four weeks so I really missed my kids and I have to bring them home something big.

How do you find the balance of training and being a father to 6 kids?
Niko- I do it, because I have so many of them. I have to do big things. I ask for the big fights, the big opportunities. I don’t sit here and say hey, “let me get every newcomer that comes in.” I want to fight top-15, legends, big name prospects. I want to fight all those dudes. I’m always looking for the big fight to take care of my big family.

Are there any looming fighters among your kids?
Niko- Oh, yeah. My son Asher trains, and he’s got some sick moves, but I don’t think he’s gonna be a fighter, he’s more of like a little surfer dude. He wants to play football and stuff. But, my son Micah and Ezra say they want to fight. They’re five and three and they’re just always duking it out. You know, they’re getting their hands dirty. My 10- and 11-year-old daughters though are probably the most capable of fighting, but one wants to be a veterinarian and the other wants to be a photographer. Either way I’ll support my kids with whatever they want to do. If one day they say, “hey I want to put some gloves on,” I’ll be like, “alright, I know a coaching staff.”

Is there’s a secret formula for how you do it, because there’s not a lot of guys that have that same mentality that you do when they step in the cage?
Niko- No, it’s God given. There’s nothing else to it. Every training session I do, I’m giving everything I got to improve and if I have to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then it’s going to be the best one ever.

Has the training camp been like just another day at the office or have you been kind of focusing on different areas in the lead up to this fight?
Niko- Well, I’ve always focused on becoming the best well-rounded fighter I can so when I was over there, I got to work on a lot of things. I worked on my wrestling with Ben Askren and his camps. I also went to Duke Rufus and worked on a lot of Muay Thai, a lot of striking, elbows, knees and clinch stuff. Just trying to continuously grow my level in every aspect and elevate the things I might need a little more work.

I assume a fight going the distance is almost like a failure to you since you always seem to go all out on your sword.
Niko- 100% that’s what my plan is every fight. You know, I go out there, I want to win, but I don’t ever want to be in one of those fights that get booed. I’d get bored in there too. If I’m sitting in there and we’re just staring at each other, like, I’m going to make something happen.

UFC 290 takes place this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Niko’s fight vs Robbie Lawler will be the last fight of the Prelims before the Main Card, which airs on ABC, ESPN and ESPN.