Multiple UFC fighters offered technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee and elbow attacks in his recent victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' powerful left knee technique, noting how he generates force not through stepping but by springing upward, and how he transitions the knee setup into high kicks that wrap around the opponent's head. Jorge Masvidal praised Prates' ability to cover distance with his knees and how the threat of knees prevented DDM from working in the clinch or boxing at close range. Masvidal also discussed potential matchup implications with Islam Makhachev, suggesting Prates' knees could stop takedown attempts but that Makhachev's wrestling is elite. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both noted how Prates opened up DDM's guard with knees and elbows, with Poirier observing that throwing knees confidently suggests Prates isn't afraid of takedowns.
