UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee strikes against Della Maddalena

Multiple UFC fighters have broken down Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee attacks, following his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' spring-loaded knee technique that generated exceptional power without a traditional step, and noted how he mixed knees with high kicks. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he'd seen in a long time, comparing the performance to Mortal Kombat and noting how the knee threat completely shut down Della Maddalena's offense. Dustin Poirier praised how Prates used knees and elbows to open up Della Maddalena's guard, adding that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more aggressively. Masvidal also suggested that while Prates' length and knees could trouble Islam Makhachev, Makhachev's wrestling remains on another level.