Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the unique power generation through spring-loaded mechanics rather than simple stepping, and praised how Prates mixed knees with high kicks that wrapped around the head when facing southpaws. Jorge Masvidal compared the performance to Mortal Kombat, emphasizing how the knee threat prevented Della Maddalena from working the body or boxing in the clinch, though he suggested Islam Makhachev's wrestling could present problems if he secures early takedowns. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more confidently and break through Della Maddalena's guard with knees and elbows. Dean Thomas observed how effectively Prates mixed his knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see and preventing Della Maddalena from entering boxing range.
Several prominent UFC fighters took to social media and media platforms to break down the technical brilliance of Carlos Prates' knee strikes following his victory over Jack Della Maddalena, offering detailed insight into why the performance was so difficult to defend.
Cory Sandhagen was among those who weighed in, pointing to Prates' left knee as a momentum-shifting weapon. Sandhagen highlighted that the power behind it came not from a simple step forward but from a spring-loaded mechanical coil, and he noted how Prates compounded the danger by mixing those knees with high kicks that curved around the head when facing southpaw opponents.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran carrying a 35-17 record, compared the spectacle to Mortal Kombat, and his technical read went deeper than the highlight reel. Masvidal explained that the constant knee threat kept Della Maddalena from establishing body work or finding a boxing rhythm in the clinch. He did raise one potential vulnerability, suggesting that the wrestling of welterweight champion Islam Makhachev could pose serious problems if Makhachev secured early takedowns. Makhachev, who owns a 28-1 record and averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes, would represent a sharply different challenge from anything Prates faced against Della Maddalena.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from the United States with a 30-10 record, offered a fighter's perspective on the mental component, observing that Prates showed genuine comfort absorbing takedown attempts, and that confidence freed him to commit to his knees without hesitation. Poirier also noted how Prates used knees and elbows together to crack through Della Maddalena's guard.
Dean Thomas rounded out the analysis by zeroing in on disguise, explaining that Prates blended his knee strikes so smoothly into his hand combinations that Della Maddalena could not read them in time or find a safe entry into boxing range.
Why it matters
- Prates' knee mechanics represent a tactically distinct threat in the welterweight division
- Multiple elite fighters flagged the clinch control as the central reason Della Maddalena could not reset
- Makhachev's elite wrestling, averaging over three takedowns per fifteen minutes, was specifically identified as a potential structural counter to Prates' knee-heavy game
