Carlos Prates has achieved notable first-time knockouts against three opponents. 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 the Prates bout. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out in standup fighting before meeting Prates, with his only previous TKO loss coming from ground-and-pound while exhausted. The post highlights Prates's exceptional finishing ability against opponents who had previously shown strong knockout resistance.
Carlos Prates has carved out a remarkable distinction in the welterweight division, becoming the first fighter to score knockout victories over Leon Edwards, Li Jingliang, and Jack Della Maddalena — three opponents who had each demonstrated exceptional resistance to being stopped on the feet.
Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," carries a 24-7 record and currently sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Vale Top Team, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and connects at a striking accuracy of 55 percent. That combination of length and precision has proven devastating, particularly against durable opponents.
Edwards, the former welterweight champion, had gone 28 fights without ever being knocked out before running into Prates. Li Jingliang, known as "The Leech," was similarly untouched through 27 professional bouts. The 38-year-old Chinese veteran stands six feet tall and had long been regarded as one of the division's more resilient strikers, averaging 4.46 significant strikes landed per minute throughout his career.
Della Maddalena adds a different dimension to the achievement. The 29-year-old Australian, ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, had never been stopped by strikes while on his feet. His only prior TKO loss came via ground-and-pound in a state of exhaustion — a very different circumstance. Della Maddalena is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Prates has now finished three fighters who had collectively absorbed nearly 80 professional bouts without being knocked out
- The run reinforces Prates as a genuine finishing threat despite sitting fifth in the division rankings
- All three stoppages came against opponents known for durability, underscoring the quality rather than simply the volume of his finishes
