UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee strikes against Du Plessis

Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strike technique following his recent performance. Cory Sandhagen praised Prates' left knee as a game-changing weapon, noting that he generates power by springing upward rather than stepping, and how he mixes the knee threat with high kicks that wrap around the head. Sandhagen also highlighted Prates' elbows that broke through his opponent's guard, calling it "mega high level" work. Jorge Masvidal compared the performance to "Mortal Kombat," emphasizing how the knee threat disabled his opponent's close-range boxing and body work, while acknowledging that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could present problems. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates opened up his opponent's guard with knees and elbows, and fights without fear of takedowns. Dean Thomas commented that Prates' knees are difficult to see because he mixes them effectively with his hand strikes.