Multiple UFC fighters broke down Carlos Prates's exceptional knee strike performance. Cory Sandhagen highlighted the unique mechanics of Prates's left knee, noting he generates power by springing his entire body rather than stepping, and how he mixed the knee setup with high kicks that wrapped around the head. Sandhagen also praised Prates's ripping elbows that broke through the guard, something Sandhagen couldn't achieve against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how the knee threat neutralized the opponent's body work and close-range boxing, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time and comparing Prates's performance to Mortal Kombat. However, Masvidal warned that Makhachev's wrestling would pose a nightmare scenario if he gets an early takedown. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates's fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more boldly, while Dean Thomas praised how seamlessly Prates mixed knees with his hands, making them difficult to see coming.
