Russian lightweight Nikita Kulishin (9-0 MMA), Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner for his upcoming fight with Topuria, has shared an inside look at the preparation camp in Arvada, Colorado, where the gym sits at 1,800–1,900 meters above sea level. Kulishin described Gaethje as a hard, mobile puncher who breathes well at altitude, and noted that coach Trevor Wittman focuses heavily on foot positioning rather than combinations. Gaethje logged two to three hours of wrestling work per week during the camp, including wall work, stand-ups, and submission scrambles, and Kulishin noted he was difficult to finish despite being taken to anaconda and D'Arce choke attempts. Kulishin also revealed that Gaethje threw low kicks in sparring but did not go full power, and that high-kick training was present but not a heavy emphasis.
Justin Gaethje's preparation for his lightweight title defense against Ilia Topuria is coming into public view, thanks to an account from Russian lightweight Nikita Kulishin, who served as Gaethje's primary sparring partner at the camp in Arvada, Colorado.
Kulishin, a nine-and-zero prospect, offered a detailed picture of the high-altitude training environment, where the gym sits between 1,800 and 1,900 meters above sea level. He described Gaethje as a hard, mobile puncher who handles the thin air well — an encouraging detail for a 37-year-old champion logging demanding preparation. Kulishin also noted that head coach Trevor Wittman placed particular emphasis on foot positioning rather than building out combination sequences, pointing to a deliberate tactical approach for the camp.
On the wrestling side, Gaethje reportedly put in two to three hours of grappling work per week, covering wall work, stand-ups, and submission scrambles. Kulishin said the champion was difficult to finish even when caught in anaconda and D'Arce choke attempts. That resilience is notable given Gaethje's professional record of 28 wins and 5 losses, a career built almost entirely on striking — he carries a 58 percent significant-strike accuracy, lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute, and has registered zero submission attempts across his UFC career.
The man waiting across the cage is Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one ranked fighter in the world. The 29-year-old Spaniard holds a 17-1 record and currently sits ranked second at lightweight. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Topuria lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds 1.96 takedowns per fifteen minutes to his offensive portfolio.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's altitude camp and wrestling volume suggest a deliberate effort to shore up potential vulnerabilities against Topuria's well-rounded game.
- Wittman's reported focus on foot positioning over combinations hints at a movement-based strategy rather than a straightforward brawl.
- Topuria's takedown threat and submission attempts per fifteen minutes contrast sharply with Gaethje's near-zero submission activity, making the grappling preparation especially relevant.
