Nikita Kulshin knocks out Junior Melo in first round at LFA event

Lightweight Nikita Kulshin improved to 9-0 with a first-round knockout of 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 and trains at Kill Cliff gym, secured his sixth consecutive victory in LFA over three years. After the fight, Kulshin called out the UFC in his post-fight interview, stating he is ready to step in on short notice at any time. This knockout win breaks a pattern of four straight decision victories for Kulshin in LFA. His only other stoppage in the promotion came in his LFA debut.