Multiple UFC fighters provided technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance against Dricus Du Plessis. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique springing motion that generates exceptional power, noting how Prates transitions the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over the head. Sandhagen also praised Prates' use of elbows to break through DDP's defensive block, a tactic Sandhagen himself struggled with against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knee threat coverage disabled DDP's ability to work the body or box in the clinch, calling it 'Mortal Kombat level' performance. However, Masvidal cautioned that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could present a nightmare scenario if he secures early takedowns. Dean Thomas noted how seamlessly Prates mixes knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see coming. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more aggressively.
