Russian lightweight Nikita Kulshin (9-0 in MMA), who served as Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner for his upcoming bout against Ilia Topuria, has provided an in-depth look at the camp. Gaethje trains at altitude in Arvada, Colorado at around 1,800–1,900 meters above sea level, dedicates roughly two to three hours per week to wrestling work, and lives alone during camp with a personal dietitian chef. Coach Trevor Wittman designs striking sessions around foot positioning rather than set combinations, and paid Kulshin more than the agreed fee upon completion of camp.
Russian lightweight prospect Nikita Kulshin, who went undefeated through nine professional bouts, served as the primary sparring partner for UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje ahead of Gaethje's upcoming title defense against Ilia Topuria. Kulshin offered a detailed account of daily life inside the camp, pulling back the curtain on how Gaethje prepares at elevation in Arvada, Colorado, roughly 1,800 to 1,900 meters above sea level.
Gaethje, 37, carries a 28-5 record and holds the lightweight title. The Arizona-born fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and puts up some of the most aggressive striking numbers in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. According to Kulshin, Gaethje dedicates roughly two to three hours per week to wrestling work during camp and lives alone in his training environment, supported by a personal dietitian chef. Head coach Trevor Wittman structures striking sessions around foot positioning rather than preset combinations, a detail Kulshin highlighted as central to the camp's philosophy. Kulshin also noted that Wittman paid him above the originally agreed fee once camp concluded.
Waiting on the other side is Topuria, the pound-for-pound number-one ranked fighter, who enters at 17-1 and holds the number-two divisional ranking. The Spain-based Georgian is 29 years old, stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute while mixing in nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes alongside consistent submission threats.
Why it matters
- Gaethje is the reigning lightweight champion defending against the sport's top pound-for-pound fighter
- The altitude camp and Wittman's foot-positioning-based system suggest a deliberate tactical preparation
- Topuria's blend of striking, grappling, and submission attempts at 1.1 per 15 minutes poses a multidimensional challenge for a fighter whose takedown average sits at 0.33 per 15 minutes
- Kulshin's candid account offers rare visibility into a closed championship camp
