Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee was the game-changing weapon, noting the unique spring-loaded power generation rather than stepping into the strikes. Sandhagen also praised Prates' ability to transition the knee setup into high kicks and his use of elbows to break through the opponent's block. Jorge Masvidal compared the performance to Mortal Kombat, emphasizing how the knee threat completely shut down the opponent's close-range boxing and clinch work. Masvidal suggested Prates' length and knee strikes could trouble wrestlers like Islam Makhachev, though he believed Makhachev's grappling would be a nightmare if secured early. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both noted how Prates mixed his knees seamlessly with hand strikes and that his lack of takedown fear allowed him to throw knees more confidently.
