UFC fighters analyze Prates' knee strikes and elbows in JDM victory

Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' striking performance against Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen praised Prates' left knee as a game-changer, noting the unique power generated by his entire body springing into the strike rather than just stepping. He also highlighted how Prates mixed high kicks that wrapped around JDM's head when in southpaw stance and used elbows to break through JDM's defensive block. Jorge Masvidal compared Prates' performance to Mortal Combat, emphasizing how the knee threat stopped JDM from working the body or boxing in the clinch, though he warned that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could pose problems. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both noted how Prates opened up JDM's guard with knees and elbows, with Poirier observing that Prates' lack of takedown fear allowed him to throw knees more freely.