Gaethe's main sparring partner details camp life, training methods ahead of Topuria fight

Russian lightweight Nikita Kulshin (9-0 MMA), Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner heading into his bout with Ilia Topuria, has provided an extensive inside look at the camp. Gaethje trains at altitude in Arvada, Colorado at roughly 1,800–1,900 metres above sea level, spending around two to three hours per week on wrestling-specific work where he impressed with scrambles and unorthodox standup recovery. Coach Wittman's focus is on foot positioning rather than combination selection, and Kulshin noted that Gaethje did work low kicks in sparring — though carefully — and that high-kick training was also included without heavy emphasis. Kulshin added that Gaethje lives alone during camp with a personal chef providing carefully calibrated meals, and that Wittman personally paid him more than the agreed fee for his sparring contribution.