Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical analysis of Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee strikes and elbows. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique left knee technique that changed the fight, noting it generates power through a spring-loaded push rather than a traditional step, and praised how Prates transitions the knee setup into high kicks that wrap around the opponent's head when facing southpaws. Sandhagen also analyzed Prates' chopping elbows that broke through his opponent's guard, a technique Sandhagen said his own shoulder mobility no longer allows. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knees covered significant distance and neutralized close-range boxing and clinch work, calling it "Mortal Kombat level" striking, while noting Prates' length advantage could trouble wrestlers but expressing concern about how he'd handle Islam Makhachev's elite grappling. Dean Thomas noted the knees were difficult to see as Prates mixed them seamlessly with his hand strikes. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates broke down the guard with knees and elbows, and that his willingness to throw knees boldly indicated he doesn't fear takedowns.
