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.
Russian lightweight Nikita Kulishin has offered a detailed look inside Justin Gaethje's training camp in Colorado ahead of the heavyweight champion's upcoming lightweight title defense against Ilia Topuria.
Kulishin, who carries a perfect 9-0 record, served as Gaethje's primary sparring partner during the camp held at altitude in Arvada, Colorado. He described a structured environment built around coach Trevor Wittman, with sessions emphasizing foot positioning over combination work and two to three hours of wrestling-based training each week. Kulishin also noted that Gaethje practiced low kicks during sparring without throwing them at full force, and that high kicks were part of the drill work but not a heavy focal point.
Gaethje, 37, holds a 28-5 record and is the current UFC lightweight champion. The Arizona native fights out of Genesis Training Center and brings one of the most aggressive output profiles in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His takedown activity is minimal at 0.33 per 15 minutes, underscoring his identity as a stand-and-trade fighter.
Topuria enters ranked second in the lightweight division and first in the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old. The Spanish-Georgian fighter carries a 17-1 record and has shown well-rounded credentials, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute alongside 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. Topuria has publicly acknowledged continuing to work on defending high kicks, a detail that aligns with what Kulishin described being drilled inside Gaethje's camp.
Kulishin also spoke warmly of the camp's culture, noting that Wittman paid him beyond the agreed rate and that Gaethje personally covered his expenses during the stay.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's camp prioritized foot movement and positioning, a potential tactical adjustment for a fighter known for forward pressure
- The low-kick emphasis in sparring could signal a deliberate game plan targeting Topuria's base
- Topuria's own public acknowledgment of high-kick defense work suggests both camps are thinking about the same weapons
- Wrestling volume in Gaethje's camp was modest, keeping the fight profile consistent with his striking-first approach
