MMA Preview – Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price at UFC 290
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ROBBIE LAWLER VS NIKO PRICE FACTS
When is UFC 290? Sunday 9th July, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 290? T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 290? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 290
What channel is UFC 290 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 290? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ROBBIE LAWLER VS NIKO PRICE LOWDOWN
Robbie Lawler (29-16(1)) has to be running out of steam now and it is forgivable considering he took part in some of the most epic wars we have seen in the welterweight division. After going on a miserable four-fight skid losing to Rafael dos Anjos (2017), Ben Askren (2019), Colby Covington (2019) and Neil Magny (2020) he welcomed fellow legend Nick Diaz (2021) back to the UFC. He avenged his knockout loss in 2004, but Diaz was not in fighting shape. Lawler returned in a year ago to fight Bryan Barberena and got TKO’d in the second round to further doubts on his shelf life.
Cut from the same cloth in terms of excitement and consistency, Niko Price (15-6(2)) graces his sixth pay-per-view card. He is 7-6(2) since making his UFC debut in 2016 and is getting used to glamour ties. He got gifted a fight with Donald Cerrone (2020) which ended in a draw before it was overturned due to Price failing a drugs test. He then lost a unanimous decision to Michel Pereira (2021), responded with one of his own over Alex Oliveira (2021) but is coming off the fourth knockout loss of his career which was courtesy of Philip Rowe (2022).
ROBBIE LAWLER VS NIKO PRICE PREDICTION
This is excellent matchmaking and it is hard to see it not getting the fans off their seats. They are extremely aggressive and reckless with blood destined to be spilt.
Lawler is still extremely dangerous offloading head kicks and bombs from his southpaw stance. He will be even more dangerous considering Price has a habit of defending punches with his mouth.
Lawler’s defence is not much better, so we expect both fighters to have success on the feet. They both have knockout power, but we can see this going to the bell. Lawler looked good against Barberena until he started to get caught clean.
Despite not having the technical ability or power of Lawler, there are less miles on the clock and Price can also make this boring by pinning him up against the cage. We are backing Price over an eventful three rounds, but the value is on Lawler as a hefty underdog especially as this could be how he signs off his glittering career.
Prediction: Price via Decision
Value bet: Lawler to win
