UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee strikes against DDM

Several prominent UFC fighters offered detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance in his recent fight. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee changed the game, noting the unique spring-loaded technique that generated exceptional power without a traditional step. Sandhagen also praised Prates' ability to transition from knee threats to high kicks that wrapped around the opponent's head, calling it uniquely high-level work. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how the knee threat completely shut down DDM's close-range boxing and body work, comparing it to Mortal Kombat and noting it was some of the best knee work he'd seen in a long time. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both noted how Prates mixed knees with hand strikes to break down DDM's defensive shell. Masvidal suggested Prates' knees could trouble Islam Makhachev on level changes, though he acknowledged Makhachev's wrestling represents a different stratosphere that could pose problems for Prates.