UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee strikes

Multiple UFC fighters offered detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike technique following his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee was the game-changing attack, noting the unique power generated from springing upward rather than stepping, and how Prates mixed the knee with high kicks by wrapping over the head. Jorge Masvidal praised the knees as "Mortal Kombat level" and noted they covered significant distance while preventing Della Maddalena from working in the clinch or boxing at close range. Masvidal also discussed how these knees could trouble Islam Makhachev by stopping takedown attempts, though he cautioned Makhachev's wrestling is on another level. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both emphasized how Prates' knees and elbows broke through Della Maddalena's guard, with Poirier noting that not fearing takedowns allowed Prates to throw knees more confidently.