Carlos Prates has achieved unprecedented knockout victories over Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang, both of whom had never been knocked out in their careers prior to facing him. Edwards had never been knocked out in 28 fights, while Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights. Additionally, Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out standing before his bout with Prates, with his only TKO loss coming via ground-and-pound when fatigued. These statistics highlight Prates's exceptional finishing ability against previously unfinished opponents. The post emphasizes the historical significance of these knockout achievements across multiple elite fighters.
Carlos Prates has carved out a remarkable place in welterweight history by becoming the first fighter to knock out both Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang, two veterans who had each entered their bouts with him without ever being stopped by strikes.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and currently sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and converts at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate — the highest of any fighter in this story. That efficiency has proved decisive against opponents who spent careers absorbing punishment without ever being finished clean.
Edwards had reached 28 professional fights without a knockout loss before meeting Prates. Li Jingliang, known as "The Leech," had compiled a 19-9 record across 27 bouts without suffering the same fate. The 38-year-old Chinese veteran stands six feet tall but works with a comparatively modest 71-inch reach, and despite landing 4.46 significant strikes per minute throughout his career, he could not avoid the finish that had eluded every previous opponent.
The article also notes that fourth-ranked contender Jack Della Maddalena had never previously been knocked out on his feet. The 29-year-old Australian from Scrappy MMA holds an 18-4 record and ranks thirteenth pound-for-pound, landing a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. His only prior TKO defeat came via ground-and-pound, making Prates the first man to stop him in a standing exchange.
Why it matters
- Prates has now finished multiple welterweights who entered their bouts with unblemished knockout records, signaling elite finishing power at the division's top level
- His victories over Edwards and Della Maddalena directly impact the welterweight top-five picture, with Prates sitting at number five despite owning wins over fighters ranked above him
- A switch-stance fighter with a 78-inch reach, Prates presents an awkward stylistic puzzle that even high-output strikers like Della Maddalena have been unable to solve
