Returning UFC welterweight contender Li Jingliang has been fine-tuning his mindset and approach to fighting during an extended period on the sidelines.
Following a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in late 2021, Jingliang rose to prominence in 2022, somewhat down to his knockout of Muslim Salikhov but also due to his likable personality.
And fanfare surrounding "The Leech" only grew when he accepted a clash with a Daniel Rodriguez who weighed in 10 pounds heavier on just one day's notice at UFC 279. Jingliang ultimately fell short on the scorecards in a decision that was widely debated.
Unfortunately for the Chinese fighter, he's been unable to bounce back from that controversial setback. Although he was scheduled for the opportunity to at UFC 287 in April 2023, a back injury ruled him out of that event and condemned him to the recovery table.
Now almost exactly two years on from his last fight, the 36-year-old is back. He'll open this weekend's UFC 305 main card in Perth, Australia, against the high-flying Carlos Prates.
And according to Jingliang, the Brazilian will be sharing the cage with a new and improved "Leech"...
During a recent fight week interview for UFC.com, Jingliang reflected on the lengthy period he's spent out of competition due to injury.
Despite the frustrating stint, "The Leech" insisted he remained committed to improving himself as a fighter. And having altered a number of areas, he expects to be better than ever when the cage door closes behind him Down Under.
The injuries bothered me a lot. But after I recovered from the injury, I was fully committed to all the training sessions; every single minute, I was fully committed," Jingliang said. "People like me because my never give up motto and spirit. ... I have to thank UFC again because I've learned a lot here. ... Even now, I still have my dream to become champion, so I have to master my destiny. For me, my fists will decide my destiny.
After the two-year layoff, I changed a lot. My training style, my daily behavior, my psychology; everything has changed, also my mindset," Jingliang continued. "So I want to say to all the other athletes that we all need to make a change sometimes. We can not be stuck at the same point for a long time. So for me, after this long layback, I know what I want. I have changed. You guys will see a different 'Leech.'
Jingliang will now look to reap the rewards from those changes when he feels the Octagon floor beneath his feet for the first time in 23 months.
And should the Chinese fan favorite announced his comeback in style by blemishing the currently perfect UFC record of the highly touted Prates, "The Leech" would be right back in the mix at 170 pounds.
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