Gaethie's Sparring Partner Reveals Key Tactical Preparations That Undid Topuria

Nikita Kulshin, Justin Gaethie's primary sparring partner heading into the Topuria fight, revealed that Gaethie deliberately used deep, unconventional slips because he knew Topuria rarely throws head kicks. Kulshin confirmed he suffered the same cut from Gaethie's uppercut during camp — in the same location Topuria was opened up in the first round. He credited coach Trevor Wittman with designing the detailed gameplan, which included a fake takedown entry that set up the uppercuts and in-fight clinch work.