Gaethje's Sparring Partner Reveals Key Tactics Used to Beat Topuria

Nikita Kulshin, Justin Gaethje's primary sparring partner ahead of UFC Freedom 250, has detailed how Gaethje's cut-inducing uppercuts were developed and refined in camp — the same punch that opened a cut over Ilia Topuria's eye in the first round. Kulshin explained that Gaethje practiced deep, unconventional head movement specifically because Topuria rarely throws high kicks, allowing him to lean into angles that would otherwise be risky. The camp, guided by coach Trevor Wittman, also drilled a specific feint-to-uppercut combination that transitioned from a fake takedown entry, which ultimately proved decisive in the fight.