Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' lead knee strikes were game-changing, noting they weren't simple step-in knees but explosive movements where Prates generated power by springing upward rather than stepping. Sandhagen also praised Prates' ability to transition the knee setup into high kicks that wrapped around the opponent's head, and his use of elbows to break through defensive blocks. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knees covered impressive distance and neutralized his opponent's close-range boxing and clinch work, calling it some of the best knee work he'd seen in a long time. Masvidal added that Prates' length and knee strikes could stop wrestlers like Islam Makhachev from changing levels, though he believes Makhachev's wrestling could be a nightmare if he gets an early takedown. Dean Thomas noted how well Prates mixed his knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates opened up his opponent's guard with knees and elbows, and his willingness to throw knees fearlessly showed he wasn't concerned about takedowns.
