Nikolay Veretennikov

Overview

Nikolay Veretennikov's one UFC finish took 1:42, and it came against Niko Price. Everything else in his UFC run has gone the distance or ended against him. "Gladiator" is a Ukrainian welterweight out of Kings MMA with a 2-4 UFC record and a 14-8-0 professional record across all promotions. He debuted in August 2024 and enters his next fight on a one-fight losing streak.

Two UFC wins in six fights is not much of a cushion. The profile is more interesting than the record.

UFC Career

Veretennikov's first loss on the DWCS stage came in September 2021, a unanimous decision against Michael Morales. That was a Contender Series fight, not a UFC event, so it sits outside the UFC record. His UFC debut followed in August 2024, a split decision loss to Danny Barlow. In February 2025, Austin Vanderford stopped him in the second round, 4:13 in.

The turn came at UFC 318 in July 2025, where he beat Francisco Prado by split decision. Next was a unanimous decision loss to Punahele Soriano at UFC 320. Then came the best night of his UFC run: a first-round TKO of Niko Price at 1:42 in February 2026.

The follow-up was rough. Khaos Williams knocked him out in the first round of UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Costa, at 3:31.

Two wins, two decision losses, two stoppage losses. Nothing in between.

Fighting Style

Veretennikov is a selective striker who is hard to take down. He lands cleanly when he connects, and he doesn't throw in volume. He lands fewer strikes per minute than most UFC fighters, but he also takes fewer than most.

He almost never shoots for takedowns and doesn't hunt for submissions. He is also tough to put on the mat, which fits a fighter who wants the fight standing.

The finish pattern backs that up. His only stoppage win is the first-round knockout of Price. Both of his stoppage losses also came by KO/TKO, one in the second round and one in the first. It's a small sample, but the fights end on the feet.

Notable Wins

• Niko Price — KO/TKO, round 1 (1:42), UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira (2026)
• Francisco Prado — split decision, round 3, UFC 318 (2025)

Quick Facts

• Division: Welterweight
• UFC record: 2-4
• Professional record (all promotions): 14-8-0
• UFC debut: August 2024
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 6'1" / 74"
• Team: Kings MMA
• Born: Sloboda, Ukraine