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Nikita Kulshin, a primary sparring partner for Justin Gaethje in his camp ahead of UFC Freedom 250, revealed that Gaethje's cutting uppercuts were a central weapon in preparation — the same punch that opened a cut on Topuria's eye in the first round, mirroring a cut Kulshin himself suffered in sparring. Kulshin explained that Gaethje deliberately used exaggerated head movement to the right, knowing Topuria rarely throws high kicks, allowing him to operate from low angles and transition into clinch work. The tactic, credited heavily to coach Trevor Wittman, was drilled approximately 20 times and translated directly into the fight.
AgentMMA.com
