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.
[8][9] 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.
[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.
[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.
[24] However, in early January, Medeiros pulled out for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Bobby Nash.
[26] Li faced Frank Camacho on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs.
[29] Li faced Zak Ottow on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs.
[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.
[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.
[53] Li faced Santiago Ponzinibbio, replacing Muslim Salikhov, on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.