Multiple UFC fighters broke down Carlos Prates' knee techniques following his victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee was the game-changer, noting the unique power generation and how he transitioned the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over the head. He also praised Prates' elbows that broke through the opponent's block, comparing it to fighting Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how the knee threat alone disabled the opponent's ability to work the body or box in the clinch, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time. Masvidal added that while Prates could stop wrestlers with these knees, Islam Makhachev's wrestling would be a nightmare if he secured an early takedown. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates opened up the block with knees and elbows, and wasn't afraid of takedowns which allowed him to throw knees more confidently.
Several prominent UFC fighters took to social media and media platforms to dissect Carlos Prates' striking performance following his latest victory, offering detailed breakdowns of the techniques that made his knee strikes so effective against his opponent.
Cory Sandhagen led the analysis, identifying Prates' left knee as the pivotal weapon in the fight. Sandhagen pointed to the unusual power generation behind the strike and explained how Prates used the threat of the knee to set up high kicks by wrapping over the opponent's head. He also singled out Prates' elbows, which cut through the defensive shell in a manner he compared to the experience of trading with Petr Yan.
Jorge Masvidal, 41, the 35-17 veteran from American Top Team, went further in his praise. The orthodox fighter called the knee work some of the best he had seen in years, arguing that the constant threat alone was enough to shut down his opponent's body work and clinch boxing entirely. Masvidal did add a note of caution, however, suggesting that while those knees could neutralize wrestlers, Islam Makhachev's elite grappling would present a serious problem if the champion secured an early takedown.
That warning carries weight given Makhachev's profile. The 34-year-old Russian champion averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes and connects on 58 percent of his significant strikes, making him a layered threat both on the feet and on the mat.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from American Top Team who carries a 30-10 record, rounded out the commentary. Poirier noted that Prates used knees and elbows in combination to open up the guard, and credited his willingness to engage without fear of takedowns as the reason he could throw knees with such confidence and frequency.
Why it matters
- Prates' clinch striking is drawing comparisons to elite-level technique from fighters with deep experience
- The knee threat as a setup tool adds a layer to his game that complicates opponents' defensive planning
- Makhachev's takedown volume remains the clearest stylistic counter identified by the analysts
