Carlos Prates has achieved a unique distinction by becoming the first fighter to knock out three previously un-KO'd opponents. Leon Edwards had never been finished by knockout in 28 fights before facing Prates. Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights prior to fighting Prates. 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 he was exhausted. This unprecedented achievement highlights Prates's exceptional finishing ability against durable opposition.
Carlos Prates has carved out a remarkable place in UFC history, becoming the first fighter ever to knock out three opponents who had each entered their bout with him having never previously been stopped by strikes standing.
Prates, known as "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and competes at welterweight, where he is currently ranked fifth in the division. The 32-year-old Brazilian fights out of Vale Top Team and brings a 78-inch reach to his matchups — a significant physical tool. He connects on 55 percent of his significant strikes, one of the more efficient rates in the division, and averages 3.77 significant strikes landed per minute.
Leon Edwards had gone through 28 professional fights without being knocked out before running into Prates. Li Jingliang, nicknamed "The Leech," a durable 38-year-old orthodox striker with a 19-9 record who lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute, had similarly never been stopped by punches across 27 bouts. Jack Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth at welterweight and thirteenth pound-for-pound, entered his fight with Prates with an 18-4 record and had suffered only one prior TKO loss — a ground-and-pound stoppage when he was exhausted, never a clean knockout on the feet. Della Maddalena lands an eye-catching 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- All three opponents had established reputations as exceptionally durable fighters, making the finishes historically significant
- The run elevates Prates's profile considerably in a stacked welterweight division, with ranked fighters on both sides of him in the top five
- His 78-inch reach and 55 percent striking accuracy suggest a technical finisher capable of exploiting even elite chins
- The achievement underscores a potential title trajectory for Prates in one of the UFC's most competitive weight classes
