UFC 317: Niko Price vs Jacobe Smith

From the opening bell, Niko Price—known for his wild, “kill-or-be-killed” style—set a fierce pace, pressing forward and landing some heavy shots on his younger foe. But Jacobe Smith, the tall, sharp wrestler with an undefeated record, weathered the storm with poise and delivered a solid left hook that sent Niko Price sprawling. He then executed a textbook slam to stake his control early in Round 1.

In Round 2, the action remained intense. Price’s famed spinning-back-fist attempt fizzled, giving Smith the opening he needed. He slipped in a stiff jab and a head kick before securing top position on the mat . From there, Smith methodically shut down Price’s offense—evading submission attempts and patiently snaking into the back—then locked in a rear-naked choke and forced the tap at 4:03 .

This finish was Smith’s first submission victory in the UFC and marked a significant milestone in his blossoming career. Entering the fight as the most heavily favored fighter in UFC betting history—and undefeated at 10–0—he lived up to the hype with a dominant performance against the battle-tested Price. Price, with his 16–8 record, showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately succumbed to Smith’s grappling prowess .

Upset or expected dominance? Smith came in as the biggest betting favorite ever in UFC history and delivered on every level .
Career landmark: First UFC submission for Smith, proving he’s more than just a one-dimensional prospect.
Veteran test: Price pushed the pace and made it competitive—but couldn’t derail Smith’s mission.

In summary: Jacobe Smith cemented his place among the welterweight division’s top prospects with a composed, powerful performance—mixing striking, wrestling, and submission proficiency—to subdue a seasoned veteran. Niko Price fought hard but couldn’t find an answer for Smith’s strategy and depth.