Multiple UFC fighters have provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike technique following his recent victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee was the game-changing attack, noting the unique spring-loaded power generation rather than traditional stepping technique, and how Prates transitioned the knee threat into high kicks that wrapped around the head. Jorge Masvidal compared Prates' performance to Mortal Kombat, emphasizing how the knee threat shut down opponent's ability to work in the clinch or box at close range, though he warned Makhachev's wrestling could be problematic. Dustin Poirier noted how Prates mixed knees seamlessly with hand strikes and wasn't afraid of takedowns, which allowed him to throw more confidently. Dean Thomas praised how Prates' knees were difficult to see coming due to excellent integration with his boxing. The consensus among fighters is that Prates' knee work represents some of the highest-level striking seen in recent memory.
Several prominent UFC fighters have gone public with detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike arsenal following his latest victory, with the consensus pointing to some of the sharpest Muay Thai-influenced striking seen in the promotion in recent years.
Cory Sandhagen led the analysis by zeroing in on Prates' left knee as the defining weapon of the performance. Sandhagen noted the technique draws its power from a spring-loaded coiling motion rather than the conventional stepping entry, making it both faster and harder to read. He also highlighted how Prates layered the knee threat into high kicks that curled around the opponent's head, compounding the defensive problem for anyone trying to anticipate the attack.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran who carries a 35-17 record and a 74-inch reach built for the kind of mid-range exchanges Prates excels in, compared the display to Mortal Kombat. Masvidal's core observation was that the constant knee threat effectively shut down the opponent's ability to engage in the clinch or work at close quarters. He did add a note of caution, suggesting that a wrestler of Islam Makhachev's caliber could present a different kind of problem. Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1 record, averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and converts at 58 percent striking accuracy, making him the rare fighter whose game plan would not rely on standing range.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from American Top Team who lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute, emphasized how Prates blended knees fluidly with hand combinations and showed no hesitation about takedown attempts, which gave him the freedom to commit fully to each strike. Dean Thomas echoed that point, crediting Prates' boxing integration as the reason the knees arrived largely unseen.
Why it matters
- Prates' knee work is being recognized across the roster as a genuine tactical problem, not simply a highlight-reel tool
- The Makhachev wrestling caveat signals that fighters see a clear blueprint for neutralizing the threat
- Elite striking analysis from active fighters adds credibility to Prates' emerging status as one of the division's most dangerous strikers
