Li defeated Nash via knockout in the second round. Li faced Northern Mariana Islands fighter Frank Camacho on June 17, 2017, at . Li defeated Camacho via unanimous decision. The win also earned Li his second "Fight of the Night" bonus award. Li faced Zak Ottow on November 25, 2017, at . He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Li his first "Performance of the Night" bonus award. 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. 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. A pairing with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos was rescheduled and took place on August 31, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 15. Li won the fight via technical knockout in round three. The win earned Li his third "Performance of the Night" bonus award. Li faced Neil Magny on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.