Multiple UFC fighters and analysts have provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee and elbow work. Cory Sandhagen praised Prates' powerful spring-loaded knee strikes that created significant damage and noted how he uniquely transitioned the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over the head against southpaw opponents. Sandhagen also highlighted Prates' ability to break through defensive guards with ripping elbows, a technique Sandhagen himself struggled with against opponents like Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he's seen in years, noting how the threat alone shut down opponents' boxing and clinch work. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both emphasized how Prates mixed his knees seamlessly with hand strikes, making them difficult to see coming, and that his confidence in his takedown defense allowed him to throw knees more aggressively.
