A pair of rising welterweights has agreed to throw down.
Anthony Rocco Martin (16-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) called out Niko Price (13-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) on Twitter, and Price quickly responded.
Price is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Geoff Neal at UFC 240. After some time off, he hopes to return by the end of the year. He said he is willing to fight Martin or anyone the UFC puts in front of him.
“It would be another fun fight, and I’m starting to train again this week – a little recovery, then right back to work,” Price told MMA Junkie. “I’m cool with (Martin) or anyone they think will sell them tickets. I’m going to have a blast ether way because I love this sport.”
Since moving back up to welterweight, Martin was on quite a run until he ran into former title challenger Demian Maia. He lost a majority decision at UFC on ESPN 3 in June and had his four-fight winning streak snapped.
He is targeting a return by the end of the year, calling Price out for a battle at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
When asked when he’d like to return and if he had any other names in mind, Price said he’s open for anything.
“Before the end of the year in the States would be sweet, and whoever’s name God puts in front of me,” Price said.
That falls right in line with Martin’s callout for Nov. 2. It appears both men are willing to scrap in a fight that could help one of them bounce back in a pursuit to climb the welterweight rankings.
