Niko Price Says Upkick Knockout of James Vick at UFC Tampa ‘Came Out of Nowhere’

UPKICK KNOCKOUT!!#UFCTampa pic.twitter.com/yGCqmq42CW

— UFC (@ufc) October 13, 2019

Niko Price authored just the second upkick knockout in UFC history this past Saturday night, and even he isn’t sure exactly how it happened.

James Vick was landing ground-and-pound from top position in the first round of their welterweight clash at UFC Fight Night 161 in Tampa, Fla., but when “The Texecutioner” stood in an attempt to clear his foe’s legs, Price folded him with a right upkick to the face. Vick fell forward unconscious, and Price landed a few more punches to the head before the contest was waved off at the 1:44 mark of Round 1.

“I saw as I hit him that it was working, but that kick came out of nowhere,” Price said. “I saw him coming in, I threw the kick caught him and was like ‘Oh my God – keep going.’ I keep getting all these weird finishes because my body ain’t normal, just look at me. My mind ain’t normal, I’m different, I’m pretty sure I’m not human, I’m different from everyone else.”

Since making his Octagon debut in December 2016, “The Hybrid” has finished all six of his triumphs by knockout, technical knockout or submission. That ties him with Donald Cerrone for the second-most stoppage victories in the welterweight division during that time.

Price is a virtual guarantee to deliver excitement on fight night, but he’s currently unsure when his next UFC appearance will come. He wouldn’t mind a short turnaround, but with a child on the way, fighting could be on the backburner for the time being.

I told [Mike] Perry he could come get some too. Opportunities happen, if I get another one in before the end of the year, great,” Price said. “I have a kid coming, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to take it, but I’d love to see what they have for me next.”