Li Jingliang (Chinese: 李景亮; pinyin: Lǐ Jǐngliàng; born March 20, 1988) is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes as a welterweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
2007
Li made his professional debut in 2007, winning via submission due to punches in the second round.
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.
2008
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.
Li began training under the tutelage of former UFC Lightweight Zhang Tiequan.
2014
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.
Li faced Nordine Taleb on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine.
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.
2015
Li was expected to face Roger Zapata on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66.
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.
Li won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Li was expected to face Kiichi Kunimoto on September 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 75.
However, Kunimoto pulled out of the fight in late August citing injury and was replaced by returning Japanese veteran Keita Nakamura.
After dominating the first two rounds, Li lost the fight via technical submission in the third round.
2016
Li faced Anton Zafir on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.
Li defeated Zafir via knockout in the first round.
Li was expected to face Chad Laprise on December 10, 2016, at UFC 206.
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.
2017
Li was expected to face Yancy Medeiros on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox 23.
However, in early January, Medeiros pulled out for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Bobby Nash.
Li defeated Nash via knockout in the second round.
Li faced Frank Camacho on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia.
He won the fight via unanimous decision.
This win earned Li his second Fight of the Night bonus award.
Li faced Zak Ottow on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum.
He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
The win also earned Li his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
2018
Li faced Jake Matthews on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221.
He lost the fight via unanimous decision and received criticism for his eye gouge of Matthews.
This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.
Li faced Daichi Abe on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 132.
He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Li was scheduled to face Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on November 24, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 141.
However, on October 27, 2018, it was reported that Zaleski withdrew from the bout due to a partial ligament tear in his right knee, and he is replaced by David Zawada.
He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.
2019
Li was expected to face Alex Oliveira on April 27, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 3.
However, on March 24, 2019, it was report Li pulled from the bout, citing injury.
