Carlos Prates has now knocked out three fighters who had never been knocked out before facing him. Leon Edwards had never lost by knockout in 28 fights before Prates finished him. Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 bouts prior to meeting Prates. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out on the feet, with his only TKO loss coming via ground-and-pound when he was tired. Prates' ability to finish previously untouchable fighters highlights his exceptional knockout power and precision striking.
Carlos Prates has quietly built one of the most remarkable knockout streaks in the welterweight division, and a closer look at his victims reveals just how extraordinary his finishing ability truly is.
The Brazilian, known as "The Nightmare," holds a 24-7 record and sits ranked fifth at welterweight. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, the 32-year-old Vale Top Team product connects on 55 percent of his significant strikes — a rate that understates how devastating those shots have proven to be. Prates has now knocked out three fighters who had never previously been stopped by strikes before facing him.
Leon Edwards, the former welterweight champion, had gone 28 professional fights without ever being knocked out before Prates finished him. Li Jingliang, the 38-year-old Chinese veteran known as "The Leech," carried a 27-bout résumé without a knockout loss before running into Prates. Jingliang, an orthodox fighter standing six feet tall with a 71-inch reach, averaged 4.46 significant strikes landed per minute across his career. Jack Della Maddalena, the fourth-ranked welterweight and Australian standout from Scrappy MMA, rounds out the trio. His only prior TKO loss had come via ground-and-pound, meaning he had never been stopped on the feet — until Prates. The 29-year-old switch-hitter lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most active offensive fighters.
Why it matters
- Prates has now stopped three fighters who entered their bouts with him knockout-resistant, establishing a pattern that demands serious attention from divisional contenders.
- His 78-inch reach and 55 percent striking accuracy give him tools that have proven effective against elite, durable competition.
- With rankings implications at welterweight still unfolding, his rise from fifth in the division places him squarely in title contention conversations.
