Nikita Kulshin knocks out Junior Melo in LFA, calls out UFC

Nikita Kulshin improved to 9-0 by knocking out Junior Melo in the first round at an LFA event. This marked Kulshin's sixth consecutive victory in LFA over three years, with four previous decision wins and one prior knockout. The 26-year-old fighter from North Ossetia, who has lived in the United States for four years and trains at Kill Cliff gym, grabbed the microphone post-fight to call out the UFC, stating he is ready to step in on short notice at any time. Melo's record fell to 15-9-1 with the loss.