Lightweight Nikita Kulshin (9-0) scored a first-round knockout victory over Junior Melo (15-9-1) at an LFA event. The 26-year-old from North Ossetia, who has lived in the United States for four years, improves to 6-0 in LFA over three years. This was his second knockout in the promotion after winning his previous four fights by decision. In his post-fight interview, Kulshin called out the UFC, stating he is ready to take a fight on short notice at any time. Kulshin trains at Kill Cliff gym.
Unbeaten lightweight Nikita Kulshin continued his rise through the LFA ranks with a first-round knockout of Junior Melo, improving his professional record to 9-0 at an LFA event on April 18, 2026.
Kulshin, 26, hails from North Ossetia and has been based in the United States for four years, training out of Kill Cliff gym. The finish was his second knockout inside the LFA, with his previous four victories in the promotion coming by way of decision. The win brings his LFA record to an impressive 6-0 over three years with the organization, cementing his status as one of its most consistent lightweight prospects.
Melo entered the bout with considerable professional experience, carrying a record of 15-9-1 going into the contest, but was unable to find an answer for Kulshin before the first round ended.
Speaking after the fight, Kulshin made his ambitions clear, calling out the UFC and stating he is ready to accept a fight on short notice at any point.
Why it matters
- Kulshin's perfect 9-0 record and 6-0 LFA mark make him one of the promotion's most compelling lightweight contenders
- The first-round finish, only his second knockout, adds finishing ability to a resume that had leaned heavily on decisions
- A public UFC callout puts pressure on matchmakers to take notice of an unbeaten fighter who trains at a high-profile gym and is openly available on short notice
