Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking performance. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' powerful left knee strikes that were thrown with a unique springing motion rather than a simple step, and noted how he disguised knees as high kicks by wrapping them over the head against a southpaw stance. Sandhagen also praised Prates' use of ripping elbows to break through defensive blocks. Jorge Masvidal called the knee work some of the best he's seen in a long time, noting that Prates used the threat of knees to shut down his opponent's clinch boxing and body work, though he cautioned that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could pose problems. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both emphasized how Prates mixed his knees seamlessly with hand strikes and showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more confidently.
