A remarkable statistical observation highlights Carlos Prates' knockout power against previously iron-chinned opponents. Leon Edwards had never been knocked out in 28 professional fights before facing Prates. Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights before Prates. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out in standup fighting before Prates, with his only TKO loss coming via ground-and-pound when exhausted. This pattern demonstrates Prates' exceptional finishing ability against fighters who had proven extremely difficult to knock out throughout their careers.
Carlos Prates has etched his name into the record books by becoming the first fighter to knock out Leon Edwards, Li Jingliang, and Jack Della Maddalena on the feet — three welterweights who had each built careers on the remarkable ability to absorb punishment and keep fighting.
The statistical case for Prates as one of the division's most dangerous finishers is striking. Edwards went through 28 professional fights without ever being stopped by strikes before Prates ended that streak. Li Jingliang, whose chin had held firm across 27 professional bouts, suffered the same fate. Della Maddalena's only previous TKO loss had come via ground-and-pound when he was exhausted — his chin had never been cracked in a pure standup exchange until Prates found it.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is a 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team who carries a 24-7 record and currently sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division. At six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he converts 55 percent of his significant strikes — an accuracy mark that helps explain how he finds openings against even the most durable opponents.
Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth at welterweight and thirteenth pound-for-pound, lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute and brings a switch stance and an 18-4 record into every cage appearance. Li Jingliang, the 38-year-old veteran known as "The Leech," averaged 4.46 significant strikes per minute across his career and mixed in 1.19 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, giving opponents multiple problems to solve.
Why it matters
- Prates has now demonstrated his finishing power against three fighters who had each proven nearly impossible to stop cleanly on the feet
- The pattern reinforces his status as a legitimate welterweight title threat despite sitting fifth in the rankings
- His 78-inch reach gives him a size advantage over most divisional opponents, including the six-foot Della Maddalena and Li
