Li Jingliang is back.
Jingliang (19-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) will face Carlos Prates (19-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a welterweight bout at UFC 305 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) on August 17 at RAC Arena in Perth.
Following an initial report on UFC Weibo, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie, who requested anonymity because the organization has yet to make an official announcement.
The 36-year-old Jingliang hasn't fought since losing a split decision to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 279 in September 2022. He was scheduled to face Tony Ferguson on that card, but the bout was changed at the last minute to a 180-pound catchweight bout with Rodriguez, prior to which he recorded a TKO win over Muslim Salikhov that was named Performance of the Night.
After earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series, the 30-year-old Prathes knocked out Trevin Giles in February and Charlie Radke in June. He has called for a fight in Perth, where his daughter lives, and the Brazilian will get his wish. Prathes has won nine straight bouts and has finished eight in a row.
The latest UFC 305 lineup includes:
- Drix du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya – Middleweight Title Bout
- Steve Erceg vs. Kai Kara-France
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Tai Tuivasa
- Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates
- Justin Tafa vs. Walter Walker
- Josh Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos
- Teresa Breda vs. Casey O'Neill
- Jack Jenkins vs. Gavin Tucker
- Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes
For more details on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 305 event hub.
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