Leon Edwards had never been knocked out in 28 professional fights before his loss to Carlos Prates. Li Jingliang similarly had never suffered a knockout defeat in 27 career bouts prior to facing Prates. Jack Della Maddalena had also never been knocked out while standing before his encounter with Prates, with his only previous TKO loss coming via ground-and-pound when he was fatigued. These statistics highlight Prates' exceptional finishing ability and power.
Carlos Prates has established himself as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in the welterweight division, with a remarkable pattern now emerging across his recent victories: both Leon Edwards and Li Jingliang suffered the first knockout losses of their careers at his hands.
Edwards, a former UFC welterweight champion, had gone 28 professional fights without ever being stopped by strikes before meeting Prates. That streak ended when "The Nightmare" finished him, marking an extraordinary milestone in a career that had appeared virtually impervious to knockout power.
Li Jingliang, known as "The Leech," carried a similarly clean knockout record across 27 professional bouts before Prates proved to be the exception. The 38-year-old Chinese fighter, standing six feet tall with a 71-inch reach, averaged 4.46 significant strikes landed per minute across his career and was regarded as a tough, durable competitor. Prates ending that streak underlines just how unique his finishing power is.
Jack Della Maddalena adds further context to this picture. The 29-year-old Australian, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and thirteenth pound-for-pound, had never been knocked out while on his feet before facing Prates. His only prior TKO defeat came via ground-and-pound while fatigued, making his stoppage loss a different category entirely.
Why it matters
- Prates, ranked fifth at welterweight, has now knocked out fighters who collectively went a combined 83 professional bouts without a prior knockout loss
- His 55 percent striking accuracy and 78-inch reach give him a significant physical edge over most opponents at 170 pounds
- The pattern across Edwards, Li, and Della Maddalena raises serious questions about who at welterweight has the durability to withstand his power
- At just 32 years old with a 24-7 record, Prates is hitting his prime at the right moment in a wide-open division
