Carlos Prates has achieved a unique distinction by becoming the first fighter to knock out 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 professional bouts prior to their encounter. Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out on the feet in his career, with his only TKO loss occurring when he was overwhelmed in ground-and-pound while fatigued. This unprecedented accomplishment highlights Prates's exceptional finishing ability against durable, proven opponents.
Carlos Prates has carved out a place in combat sports history, becoming the first fighter ever to knock out three separate opponents who had each entered their bouts without a single knockout loss on their record.
Known as "The Nightmare," the 32-year-old Brazilian holds a 24-7 record and currently sits ranked fifth in the UFC welterweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, Prates fights out of Vale Top Team and operates from a switch stance. His 55 percent striking accuracy stands as one of the more impressive marks in the division, underlining the precision behind his finishing power.
Among his three victims, former champion Leon Edwards had gone 28 fights without being knocked out before Prates ended that streak. Li Jingliang, the 38-year-old Chinese veteran nicknamed "The Leech," carried a 19-9 record and had never been stopped by strikes across 27 professional bouts. Jingliang lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute and brings a solid takedown threat at 1.19 per 15 minutes, making the finish all the more notable. Jack Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian ranked fourth at welterweight and 13th pound-for-pound, boasts an 18-4 record and had never been knocked out standing in his career. His lone TKO defeat came via ground-and-pound while fatigued — not from a clean strike on the feet. Maddalena himself lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most active offensive weapons.
Why it matters
- All three victims were regarded as exceptionally durable, proven fighters with lengthy unbeaten-by-KO streaks
- The accomplishment reinforces Prates as one of the most dangerous finishers in the welterweight division
- With rankings of fourth and fifth, a potential matchup between Prates and Della Maddalena already carried title implications before this record was set
- No fighter in MMA history had previously achieved this specific milestone against three such opponents
