Russian lightweight Nikita Kulshin (9-0), who served as Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner ahead of his rematch with Ilia Topuria, shared extensive details about the preparation camp held in Arvada, Colorado. Gaethje conducts two to three hours of wrestling work per week, moves well and hits hard at altitude, and had low kicks incorporated into camp, though heavy emphasis was placed on high-kick defense and footwork positioning by coach Trevor Wittman. Kulshin noted that Gaethje's gun safe contained a golden Desert Eagle, multiple Glocks, two AR-platform rifles, and two sniper rifles, and that both Gaethje and Wittman were exceptionally generous hosts who paid Kulshin more than agreed.
Details from inside Justin Gaethje's preparation camp ahead of his lightweight title rematch with Ilia Topuria have emerged after Russian prospect Nikita Kulshin, who served as Gaethje's primary sparring partner in Arvada, Colorado, spoke publicly about the experience.
Gaethje, 37, enters the rematch as the reigning lightweight champion with a record of 28 wins and 5 losses. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, the Arizona native is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Kulshin revealed that camp in Arvada included two to three hours of wrestling work per week, with coach Trevor Wittman placing heavy emphasis on high-kick defense and footwork positioning. Low kicks were also incorporated into the gameplan. Kulshin described Gaethje as moving well and hitting hard even at altitude, and praised both Gaethje and Wittman as exceptionally generous hosts who paid him above the agreed rate.
The unbeaten Kulshin, who holds a 9-0 record as a lightweight, also offered a colorful aside from his time at the camp, noting that Gaethje's gun safe housed a golden Desert Eagle, multiple Glocks, two AR-platform rifles, and two sniper rifles.
Waiting on the other side of that preparation is Topuria, the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the sport. The 29-year-old Spaniard carries a 17-1 record and is ranked second in the lightweight division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Topuria lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and also averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a consistent grappling threat to his striking arsenal.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's camp detail reveals a clear strategic focus on defending Topuria's high-kick offense, a weapon that has featured prominently in Topuria's finishing sequences
- Wittman's emphasis on footwork positioning suggests Gaethje's team is prioritizing distance management against a shorter, explosive opponent
- The wrestling volume in camp may signal an intent to control the clinch and neutralize Topuria's takedown threat, which averages nearly two attempts per 15 minutes
