Carlos Prates was laser accurate with his left hand against Li Jingliang tonight at UFC 305, dropping him multiple times before finally sealing a knockout finish deep into the 2nd round.
Round One:
Thigh kick from Jingliang after a feeling out process. Now a couple of inside leg kicks from Prates. Jab for the Brazilian. Jingliang misses a couple of strikes, but then lands an inside leg kick. Prates one of his own.
Inside leg kick from Jingliang and a punch in response from Prates. Calf kicks from Jingliang. He throws another kick that’s almost caught by Prates.
Prates pressing forwards and lands another inside leg kick. Nice calf kick from Jingliang. Glancing punch from prates seems to knock Jingliang off-balance to the mat for a brief moment.
Jingliang back up and seems fine. More low kicks exchanged. Straight left for Prates. Left hook gets through for Jingliang. Hard left for Prates. Jingliang with a short combo.
Left hand from Prates. Now a slick right as he moves. Another punch from Prates and Jingliang’s legs buckle. He just manages to stay on his feet, but Prates is right on him again and his left hand is causing ‘The Leech’ all kinds of problems here. He lands it again and Jingliang staggers back against the cage, but again doesn’t go down fully.
Back up on his feet Jingliang is trying to fight back and lands a punch before the round ends.
Round Two:
Jingliang misses on a few low kicks. Prates with a highher kick. Jingliang presses forward with a few hooks but doesn’t connect.
Clash of legs. Inside low kick from Jingliang. He misses on a spinning backfist attempt. Inside leg kick from Prates.
Prates starting to work the left hand again. Jingliang clinches up now and presses Prates into the cage. Now much happening from there though and then Prates breaks free.
Left hand lands again for Prates. He keeps hurting ‘The Leech’ with that weapon. Now a left kick from Prates.
Right hand and then again the left hand lands and Jingliang drops. He’s so tough though and manages to get back up. Jingliang looks worried now tough and is backing up trying to buy some time.
Prates is still on the hunt though and his punches just keep finding the target, and with Jingliang backed up against the cage a final left hook sends him crashing to the canvas to become the first person to ever KO ‘The Leech’, with the finish arriving at 4.02mins of the 2nd round!
The 31-year-old Prates has now won all three of his UFC fights by KO, and this one in particular confirms he’s a serious threat in the welterweight division.
