Russian lightweight Nikita Kulchin, who served as Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner ahead of his fight with Topuria, offered an in-depth account of life inside the Arvada, Colorado camp. Gaethje trains at altitude of roughly 1,800–1,900 meters and logs two to three hours of wrestling work per week, with Kulchin noting that Gaethje scrambles effectively and is difficult to submit. Coach Trevor Wittman — who also designs and sews his own ONX equipment line — maintained his trademark upbeat demeanor throughout camp even while dealing with a painful tooth infection. Kulchin was paid above the agreed fee, with Wittman personally writing additional checks for his work.
A rare look inside Justin Gaethje's training camp in Arvada, Colorado has emerged through Russian lightweight Nikita Kulchin, who served as the champion's primary sparring partner in the lead-up to his fight against Ilia Topuria.
Kulchin offered a detailed account of daily life at altitude — roughly 1,800 to 1,900 meters above sea level — describing a camp built heavily around wrestling. Gaethje logs two to three hours of wrestling work per week, and Kulchin noted that the champion scrambles effectively and is difficult to submit. The financial side of the arrangement ended on a generous note as well, with head coach Trevor Wittman personally writing additional checks beyond the originally agreed fee.
Justin Gaethje, 37, holds a 28-5 record and currently wears the lightweight title. The Arizona native stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and lands an eye-catching 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that rank among the most aggressive in the division. Despite that output, the camp's deliberate focus on wrestling suggests Gaethje and Wittman are preparing for a specific tactical challenge. Wittman himself was reported to be dealing with a painful tooth infection throughout camp yet maintained his characteristic upbeat energy, and continues to design and sew his own ONX equipment line alongside his coaching duties.
Ilia Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first pound-for-pound, enters the matchup at 17-1. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and averages 4.81 significant strikes per minute, pairing that output with 1.96 takedown attempts per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a well-rounded threat on both feet and on the mat.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's heavyweight wrestling prep signals the camp sees Topuria's grappling as the primary danger
- Topuria's submission rate makes Gaethje's reported scrambling ability a critical variable
- The altitude training adds a conditioning layer that could influence later rounds
- Wittman's involvement in every financial and tactical detail underscores the tight-knit structure of the Gaethje camp
