Nikita Kulshin (9-0), a Russian lightweight who has served as a sparring partner for Justin Gaethje, recounted his experiences living and training in Florida, describing the driving culture and the gym environment at Kill Cliff FC. Kulshin noted that he estimates 50 to 70 percent of fighters at his gym regularly arrive to training under the influence of cannabis, treating it as routine. He also described the U.S. driving license practical test as lasting only five minutes on a parking lot with no road driving required.
Unbeaten Russian lightweight Nikita Kulshin has offered a candid look at life and training in Florida, sharing observations about American driving culture and the atmosphere inside his gym, Kill Cliff FC.
Kulshin, who carries a perfect 9-0 professional record, has been based in the United States long enough to serve as a sparring partner for UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. The 28-5 champion, known as "The Highlight," is a 37-year-old American fighting out of Genesis Training Center. Gaethje is one of the most active strikers in the lightweight division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, and has long been regarded as one of the sport's most entertaining fighters.
Kulshin recounted that a striking proportion of fighters at Kill Cliff FC arrive to training sessions under the influence of cannabis, estimating the figure at somewhere between 50 and 70 percent of the gym's roster. He described this as a routine part of the environment rather than an exception.
The unbeaten Russian also commented on his experience obtaining a U.S. driving license, characterizing the practical examination as surprisingly brief — approximately five minutes conducted entirely within a parking lot, with no road driving required.
Why it matters
- Kulshin's 9-0 record makes him a rising name in the lightweight division, and his connection to a champion-level sparring partner signals serious development.
- His firsthand account of the Kill Cliff FC environment provides rare inside perspective on one of MMA's prominent training facilities.
- The observations, while anecdotal, touch on the broader culture surrounding professional fighters and their preparation habits.
