Nikita Kulshin scores first-round knockout at LFA, calls out UFC

Lightweight Nikita Kulshin improved to 9-0 by knocking out Junior Melo early in the first round at an LFA event. This marked Kulshin's sixth consecutive victory in LFA over three years, having previously won four straight fights by decision and one by knockout in his promotional debut. The 26-year-old fighter from North Ossetia, who has been living in the United States for four years and trains at Kill Cliff gym, grabbed the microphone after his win to call out the UFC and declare his readiness to fight on short notice. Melo's record dropped to 15-9-1 with the loss.