UFC 305 is heating up with a thrilling main card opener featuring a welterweight clash between Li Jingliang and Carlos Prates. This bout, taking place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, is set to ignite the Octagon with high stakes for both fighters. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting matchup.
Li Jingliang, also known as “The Leech,” is making his long-awaited return after an extended hiatus due to a serious spinal injury. At 36 years old, Jingliang (19-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) has been out of action for nearly two years. His last fight was a narrow split-decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 279. Despite this setback and his alternating wins and losses over recent fights, Jingliang has remained a crowd favorite. His previous absence marks the longest break of his professional career since he began in 2007. Notably, Jingliang has never lost back-to-back fights, which could be a crucial factor as he steps back into the cage.
On the other hand, Carlos Prates (19-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is a rising star making waves in the UFC. Prates has started his UFC career on a high note, securing victories in both of his fights this year. He made an impressive debut by stopping Trevin Giles and followed up with a win against Charles Radtke. With his current nine-fight win streak, Prates has quickly become a formidable presence in the welterweight division. A win over Jingliang could solidify his position and potentially earn him the Newcomer of the Year accolade.
The fight promises to be an engaging battle of styles. Jingliang’s Wushu Sanda background has equipped him with a strong foundation in striking and counters. However, Prates, a southpaw, uses Muay Thai techniques and has a knack for delivering powerful strikes. This matchup is intriguing because Jingliang has struggled against southpaws in the past, having lost to fighters like Keita Nakamura who also fight from the southpaw stance. The key question here is how the layoff has affected Jingliang’s performance and if he can adapt to Prates' southpaw attacks.
Prates’ impressive striking and recent performances suggest he might have the edge. The current odds reflect this, with Prates being the favorite at -350, while Jingliang is listed at +260. Analysts are predicting a tough return for Jingliang, considering his lengthy injury break. The fight is anticipated to showcase Prates’ aggressive striking and could potentially see him become the first fighter to stop Jingliang with strikes, likely targeting the liver in Round 2.
For fans eagerly awaiting this bout, the action will start around 10:15 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view. As the opening fight of the main card, this bout will set the tone for the rest of the event. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates and analyses as UFC 305 unfolds.
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