Li Jingliang (Chinese: 李景亮;[1] pinyin: Lǐ Jǐngliàng; born March 20, 1988) is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes as a welterweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Li Jingliang
BornLi Jingliang
(1988-03-20) March 20, 1988 (age 36)
Tacheng, Xinjiang, China
Native name李景亮 [1]
Other namesThe Leech
NationalityChinese
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofBeijing, China
TeamChina Top Team
Team Alpha Male[3]
Kill Cliff FC (2022-present)[4]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins19
By knockout10
By submission4
By decision5
Losses8
By submission2
By decision6
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Originally from a small town near Tacheng in the Xinjiang UAR of Northwest China, Li competed in Chinese wrestling and trained in Sanda before moving to Beijing in 2008 in order to pursue a career in professional mixed martial arts.[6][7] Li began training under the tutelage of former UFC Lightweight Zhang Tiequan.[8][9]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Li made his professional debut in 2007, winning via submission due to punches in the second round.[10] He would go on to compile a record of 8–2, capturing the Legend FC Welterweight Championship in the process, before being granted his release and signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Li made his promotional debut on May 24, 2014, at UFC 173 against David Michaud, who had an undefeated record of 7–0. Li defeated Michaud via split decision, giving Michaud the first loss of his career.[11]

Li faced Nordine Taleb on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine.[12] Li was able to take Taleb down multiple times throughout the fight and even successfully land significantly more strikes as Taleb was content to counter strike throughout the bout. In a surprising result, Taleb was given the victory by split decision.[13]

Li was expected to face Roger Zapata on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66.[14] However, on April 18, it was announced that Zapata was pulled from the fight due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Brazilian fighter Dhiego Lima.[15] Li won the fight via knockout in the first round.[16]

Li was expected to face Kiichi Kunimoto on September 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 75.[17] However, Kunimoto pulled out of the fight in late August citing injury and was replaced by returning Japanese veteran Keita Nakamura.[18] After dominating the first two rounds, Li lost the fight via technical submission in the third round.[19]

Li faced Anton Zafir on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[20] Li defeated Zafir via knockout in the first round.[21]

Li was expected to face Chad Laprise on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206.[22] However, Laprise pulled out of the fight on November 16 citing an undisclosed injury. As a result, Li was pulled from the card entirely and rescheduled to a future event.[23]

Li was expected to face Yancy Medeiros on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox 23.[24] However, in early January, Medeiros pulled out for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Bobby Nash.[25] Li defeated Nash via knockout in the second round.[26]

Li faced Frank Camacho on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28] This win earned Li his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[29]

Li faced Zak Ottow on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum.[30] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[31] The win also earned Li his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[32]

Li faced Jake Matthews on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221.[33] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and received criticism for his eye gouge of Matthews.[34][35] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[36]

Li faced Daichi Abe on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 132.[37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

Li was scheduled to face Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on November 24, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 141.[39] However, on October 27, 2018, it was reported that Zaleski withdrew from the bout due to a partial ligament tear in his right knee,[40] and he is replaced by David Zawada.[41] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[42][43]

Li was expected to face Alex Oliveira on April 27, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 3.[44] However, on March 24, 2019, it was report Li pulled from the bout, citing injury.[45]

Li was expected to be in a pairing with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos that was rescheduled and took place on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157.[46] Li won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[47] The win earned Li his third Performance of the Night bonus award.[48]

Li faced Neil Magny on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248.[49] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[50]

Li was scheduled to face Dwight Grant on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256.[51] However, on December 8, 2020, Grant tested positive for COVID-19 during fight week and had to pull out.[52] A replacement opponent for Li wasn't able to be found, and therefore Li was removed from the event.[53]

Li faced Santiago Ponzinibbio, replacing Muslim Salikhov, on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.[54] He won the fight via first-round knockout.[55] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[56]

Li faced Khamzat Chimaev on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267.[57] He lost the bout after getting choked unconscious via rear-naked choke in the first round.[58]

Li faced Muslim Salikhov on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3.[59] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[60] This win earned him Performance of the Night bonus award.[61]

Li was scheduled to face Tony Ferguson on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279.[62] However, due to Khamzat Chimaev missing weight, Li faced Daniel Rodriguez who was originally scheduled to face Kevin Holland in a catchweight bout.[63] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[64] 21 out of 23 media scores gave it to Li.[65]

Li was scheduled to face Michael Chiesa on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287.[66] However, Li pulled out of the bout due to a spine injury.[67]

Personal life edit

Li and his wife have a daughter (born 2015) and a son (born 2020).[68][69]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed Martial Arts edit

Brazilian jiu-jitsu edit

  • China Open Jiu-jitsu Tournament
    • 2013 1st place - Absolute (Purple Belt)[72]
    • 2013 1st place - 92 kg (Purple Belt)

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 19 wins 8 losses
By knockout 10 0
By submission 4 2
By decision 5 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 19–8 Daniel Rodriguez Decision (split) UFC 279 September 10, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (180 lb) bout.
Win 19–7 Muslim Salikhov TKO (punches and elbows) UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez July 16, 2022 2 4:38 Elmont, New York, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 18–7 Khamzat Chimaev Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 267 October 30, 2021 1 3:16 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 18–6 Santiago Ponzinibbio KO (punch) UFC on ABC: Holloway vs. Kattar January 16, 2021 1 4:25 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night.
Loss 17–6 Neil Magny Decision (unanimous) UFC 248 March 7, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–5 Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang August 31, 2019 3 4:51 Shenzhen, China Performance of the Night.
Win 16–5 David Zawada KO (body kick) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 November 24, 2018 3 4:07 Beijing, China Performance of the Night.
Win 15–5 Daichi Abe Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards June 23, 2018 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 14–5 Jake Matthews Decision (unanimous) UFC 221 February 11, 2018 3 5:00 Perth, Australia Fight of the Night.
Win 14–4 Zak Ottow TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum November 25, 2017 1 2:57 Shanghai, China Performance of the Night.
Win 13–4 Frank Camacho Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia June 17, 2017 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore Fight of the Night.
Win 12–4 Bobby Nash KO (punches) UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña January 28, 2017 2 4:45 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 11–4 Anton Zafir KO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale July 8, 2016 1 2:46 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–4 Keita Nakamura Technical Submission (standing rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson September 27, 2015 3 2:17 Saitama, Japan
Win 10–3 Dhiego Lima KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber May 16, 2015 1 1:25 Pasay, Philippines
Loss 9–3 Nordine Taleb Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine October 4, 2014 3 5:00 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win 9–2 David Michaud Decision (split) UFC 173 May 24, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Luke Jumeau Submission (guillotine choke) Legend FC 11 April 27, 2013 3 3:38 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Won the Legend FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 7–2 Dan Pauling Decision (unanimous) Legend FC 9 June 16, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China
Loss 6–2 Myung Ho Bae Decision (unanimous) Legend FC 7 February 11, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China For the Legend FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Alex Niu Decision (unanimous) Legend FC 5 July 16, 2011 3 5:00 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Win 5–1 Tony Rossini Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Legend FC 4 January 27, 2011 2 1:11 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Win 4–1 Andrei Liu TKO (punches) Legend FC 3 September 24, 2010 1 3:43 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Loss 3–1 Pat Crawley Decision (unanimous) Legend FC 2 June 24, 2010 3 5:00 Hong Kong, SAR, China
Win 3–0 Yun Tao Gong Submission (guillotine choke) AOW 15: Ueyama vs. Aohailin November 28, 2009 1 5:29 Beijing, China
Win 2–0 Liu Jin Wen Submission (guillotine choke) Ultimate Martial Arts Combat April 18, 2009 1 3:05 Beijing, China
Win 1–0 Makhach Gadzhiev TKO (submission to punches) AOW 8: Worlds Collide September 22, 2007 2 1:02 Beijing, China

[73]

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ "Jingliang Li". Tapology. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
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  4. ^ "Jingliang Li calls out Geoff Neal!". Asian MMA. 18 April 2022.
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  7. ^ "李景亮 读万卷书、走万里路,我选第二条". 新京报. 2020-03-22. p. A07.
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  11. ^ "UFC 173 Results: Li Defeats Michaud by way of Split Decision". 24 May 2014.
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  63. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2022-09-09). "Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson to now headline UFC 279, Khamzat Chimaev fights Kevin Holland in co-main event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
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  66. ^ Sherdog.com. "Michael Chiesa-Jingliang Li Added to UFC 287 Lineup on April 8". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
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External links edit