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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Michael Chiesa reacts to his win in a welterweight bout against Max Griffin during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“The Maverick” has a new dance partner.
Veteran Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight and The Ultimate Fighter 15 winner Michael Chiesa is set to make the final walk of his career at UFC Seattle next weekend (Sat., March 28, 2026) — but he’ll now be facing a different opponent.
Fellow veteran Niko Price has agreed to step in on short notice, replacing Carlston Harris, who withdrew for undisclosed reasons. The promotion announced the change during the UFC London broadcast.
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Chiesa (19-7), who hails from nearby Spokane Valley, Washington — roughly four hours from Seattle — will essentially get a hometown sendoff for his retirement fight.
And he’s entering it on a high note.
“The Maverick” is riding a three-fight win streak, most recently earning a unanimous decision victory over Court McGee at UFC Atlanta. Prior to that, he picked up wins over Tony Ferguson (watch highlights) and Max Griffin, bouncing back nicely after a rough three-fight skid from 2021 to 2023.
For what it’s worth, the last time Chiesa competed in Seattle, he suffered a submission loss to Jorge Masvidal.
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As for Price (16-10), he enters the bout in a much different position.
“The Hybrid” is currently on a three-fight losing streak and has been finished in two of those outings. In his most recent appearance, Price stepped in on short notice against Nikolay Veretennikov and was stopped in the first round (watch highlights).
Over the past six years, Price has gone 2-7 (1 NC), highlighting a difficult stretch for the longtime fan favorite.
Still, his all-action style makes him a fitting opponent for Chiesa’s farewell fight.
Here is what UFC Seattle looks like now (hopefully for the final time:
Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer
Maycee Barber vs. Alexa Grasso
Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui
Lerryan Douglas vs. Julian Erosa
Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson
Gabriella Fernandes vs. Casey O’Neill
Marcio Barbosa vs. Kangjie Zhu
Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Chase Hooper
Bruno Lopes vs. Navajo Stirling
Bruna Brasil vs. Alexia Thainara
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev
Tyrell Fortune vs. Marcin Tybura
To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.
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