Carlos Prates has achieved knockout victories over three opponents who had never been knocked out before in their careers. 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 his bout with Prates. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out in standup fighting before meeting Prates, with his only TKO loss coming from ground and pound when he was exhausted. This historic achievement highlights Prates' finishing power against elite competition.
Carlos Prates has carved out a remarkable place in welterweight history by becoming the first fighter to knock out three men who had each entered their bouts with him having never been stopped on the feet before.
The Brazilian known as "The Nightmare" now holds a 24-7 record and sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division at 32 years old. Fighting out of Vale Top Team, the six-foot-one Prates carries a 78-inch reach and connects at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate — a figure that helps explain how he keeps finding the finish against elite opposition.
Leon Edwards, the former welterweight champion, had gone 28 professional fights without being knocked out before running into Prates. Li Jingliang, nicknamed "The Leech," was similarly untouched over 27 bouts. The 38-year-old orthodox striker had shown his own knockout power across a long career, averaging 4.46 significant strikes per minute, yet could not withstand Prates. Jack Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth in the division and 13th pound-for-pound, had suffered only one previous TKO loss — the result of ground and pound when he was exhausted, not a standup finish. His record stands at 18-4, and he lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute himself, making his stoppage at Prates' hands all the more striking.
Why it matters
- All three men had clean standup knockout records before facing Prates, making this a historically rare hat trick of finishes
- The run has propelled Prates to fifth in the welterweight rankings, firmly inside the division's title picture
- His 78-inch reach and 55 percent accuracy give him a structural edge over most welterweights, including the switch-hitting Della Maddalena, who shares his stance but gives up five inches of reach
