Carlos Prates has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first fighter to knock out three opponents who had never been knocked out before. Leon Edwards had never lost by knockout in 28 fights before facing Prates. Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights prior to their bout. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out on the feet, with his only TKO loss coming from ground and pound when fatigued. Prates' knockout power has proven historically significant in the welterweight division.
Carlos Prates has carved out a unique place in combat sports history, becoming the first fighter ever to knock out three opponents who had each never previously been stopped by strikes.
The Brazilian welterweight, known as "The Nightmare," accomplished the feat across three separate bouts against Leon Edwards, Li Jingliang, and Jack Della Maddalena. Edwards had gone 28 professional fights without a knockout loss before Prates ended that streak. Li Jingliang, a durable veteran who had competed 27 times without ever being knocked out, suffered the same fate. Della Maddalena's only prior stoppage defeat had come from ground and pound while fatigued — he had never been knocked out on the feet until meeting Prates.
Prates sits fifth in the welterweight rankings with a professional record of 24-7. The 32-year-old out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, and his striking accuracy of 55 percent underlines the precision behind his power.
Della Maddalena, currently ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, entered their matchup with an 18-4 record. The 29-year-old Australian out of Scrappy MMA operates from a switch stance, stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, and lands an eye-catching 5.57 significant strikes per minute.
Li Jingliang, nicknamed "The Leech," holds a 19-9 record and brings 4.46 significant strikes per minute to his fights, though his 42 percent accuracy trails the men he faced.
Why it matters
- Prates has now established a historically unique knockout record within a single division
- His victims include a former welterweight champion in Edwards and two top-ranked contenders
- At fifth in the division with 55 percent striking accuracy and a lengthy 78-inch reach, Prates has positioned himself as a genuine title threat
- The run raises serious questions about the welterweight division's pecking order heading into 2026
