Nikita Kulshin scores first-round knockout of Junior Melo at LFA 231

Lightweight Nikita Kulshin improved to 9-0 by knocking out Junior Melo early in the first round at an LFA event. The 26-year-old from North Ossetia has been living in the United States for four years and trains at Kill Cliff gym. This marks his sixth consecutive victory in LFA over three years, with his previous four wins coming by decision and his LFA debut ending in knockout. After the fight, Kulshin called out the UFC in his post-fight interview, shouting that he is ready to step in on short notice at any time. Melo entered the bout with a 15-9-1 record.