Fighters analyze Prates' devastating knee strikes that changed Della Maddalena fight

UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen explained that Prates' left knee was the game-changing attack, noting the unique spring-loaded power and how Prates converted the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping around the head when facing a southpaw. Sandhagen also highlighted Prates' ripping elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's block, which had previously stymied Sandhagen against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal praised how the knee threat alone disabled Della Maddalena's body work and close-range boxing, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates broke through the block with knees and elbows, and appeared unafraid of takedowns which allowed him to throw knees more confidently. Dean Thomas observed that Prates effectively mixed knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see.