UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee and elbow techniques

Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' striking performance against Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' powerful left knee strikes that he throws by springing his entire body rather than just stepping, and his unique high kicks that wrap over the opponent's head when facing southpaws. Sandhagen also praised Prates' chopping elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's guard. Jorge Masvidal noted how Prates' knee threat completely shut down Della Maddalena's clinch work and body punching, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time. Masvidal suggested Prates could trouble Islam Makhachev with these knees when defending takedowns, though he acknowledged Makhachev's wrestling is on another level. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas also commented on how Prates mixed his knees seamlessly with his hands and showed no fear of takedowns.