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

Russian lightweight Nikita Kulishin (9-0), who served as Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner ahead of his bout with Ilia Topuria, has provided an extensive account of life inside the Colorado camp. Gaethje trained at altitude in Arvada, Colorado, with coach Trevor Wittman focusing heavily on foot positioning rather than combinations, and conducted two to three hours of wrestling-based work per week. Kulishin noted that Gaethje practiced low kicks in sparring but did not throw them hard, and that high kicks were drilled but without heavy emphasis, while Topuria himself has stated publicly he still works on defending that weapon. Kulishin praised the camp's generosity, saying Wittman paid him more than agreed and Gaethje covered his expenses throughout the stay.