Gaethje's Russian sparring partner reveals camp details ahead of Topuria fight

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.