Carlos Prates has achieved a rare feat by becoming the first fighter to knock out three previously undefeated-by-KO opponents. Leon Edwards had never been knocked out in 28 fights before facing Prates, Li Jingliang had never been knocked out in 27 fights, and Jack Della Maddalena had never been knocked out standing (his only TKO loss came via ground-and-pound when exhausted). This demonstrates Prates' exceptional finishing ability against highly durable opponents.
Carlos Prates has carved out a rare place in UFC history, becoming the first fighter ever to knock out three opponents who had each entered their bouts with him never having been stopped by strikes before.
The Brazilian welterweight, nicknamed "The Nightmare," accomplished the feat across separate contests against Leon Edwards, Li Jingliang, and Jack Della Maddalena. Edwards had gone 28 professional fights without a knockout loss before Prates ended that streak. Li Jingliang, the hard-chinned veteran known as "The Leech," had survived 27 fights without being stopped by punches. Della Maddalena's only previous TKO defeat had come via ground-and-pound in a moment of exhaustion — he had never been knocked out while standing — until Prates changed that.
Prates carries a 24-7 record and fights out of Vale Top Team. The 32-year-old stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach and currently sits ranked fifth in the welterweight division. His striking accuracy of 55 percent ranks among the sharper in the division, underlining that his finishing power comes with precision rather than volume alone.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth at welterweight and thirteenth pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute and carries a 51 percent accuracy rate of his own — making the knockout all the more notable given the Australian's offensive output and toughness.
Li Jingliang, 38, averaged 4.46 significant strikes per minute across his career and posted a takedown rate of 1.19 per 15 minutes, demonstrating the kind of well-rounded, durable profile that made his knockout loss equally striking on paper.
Why it matters
- Prates has now beaten three of the most durable chins in welterweight history by KO, a combination no fighter had previously achieved
- The run strengthens his case as a legitimate title threat in a stacked 170-pound division
- His 78-inch reach and switch stance create matchup problems that even experienced, durable opponents have struggled to solve
