Carlos Prates achieved unprecedented knockouts against three fighters who had never been knocked out before. Leon Edwards had never lost by knockout in 28 professional fights until facing Prates. Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights before meeting Prates. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out standing, with his only TKO loss coming from ground strikes when he was exhausted. The post highlights Prates' exceptional finishing power against fighters with previously unblemished knockout defense records.
Carlos Prates has carved out a singular place in welterweight history, becoming the only fighter to have knocked out Leon Edwards, Li Jingliang, and Jack Della Maddalena — three fighters who each entered those bouts with pristine records against being stopped by strikes.
Prates, known as "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 connects at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate — a mark that speaks to the precision behind his power. His finishing of Edwards was particularly historic: the former champion had gone 28 professional fights without ever being knocked out before running into Prates.
Li Jingliang, nicknamed "The Leech," had similarly protected that record across 27 professional bouts. The 38-year-old orthodox striker from China averaged 4.46 significant strikes per minute and had long been considered durable, yet Prates ended that streak convincingly.
Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth in the division and 13th pound-for-pound, had never been stopped by standing strikes in his career. His only previous TKO loss had come from ground strikes while exhausted — an entirely different context. Standing at five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, Della Maddalena lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute and operates out of a switch stance, making him a technically demanding opponent by any measure.
Why it matters
- Prates has now claimed knockout wins over a former welterweight champion and two other top-level opposition who were considered nearly impossible to finish cleanly
- His run strengthens the case for a significant rankings climb from his current fifth-place position
- The style matchup question becomes pressing for any future welterweight contender: Prates neutralized elite strikers and durable veterans alike, covering a wide range of opponent profiles
