Multiple UFC fighters and analysts provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' exceptional knee strike technique following his victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates generates spring-loaded power rather than stepping into his knees, and noted his ability to transition the knee threat into high kicks that wrap over opponents' heads. Jorge Masvidal compared Prates' knee work to "Mortal Kombat," emphasizing how the threat alone shut down his opponent's offense and prevented clinch boxing. Dustin Poirier credited Prates' confidence in his takedown defense for allowing him to throw knees boldly. Dean Thomas praised how Prates mixes his knees seamlessly with hand strikes, making them difficult to see coming and preventing opponents from entering boxing range.
Carlos Prates' knee strikes drew widespread praise from notable UFC figures this week, with several fighters and analysts offering detailed technical breakdowns of what makes his work in that area so difficult to defend against.
Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen was among those weighing in, explaining that Prates generates power through a coiled, spring-loaded mechanism rather than stepping forward into the strike in the conventional sense. Sandhagen also noted how Prates weaponizes the threat of the knee to set up high kicks that loop over opponents' heads, giving him multiple dangerous options from the same setup.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran holding a career record of 35-17, likened Prates' knee striking to something out of Mortal Kombat. Masvidal emphasized that the mere threat of the knee was enough to freeze his opponent's offense and take away any chance of effective clinch boxing — a point that speaks to how much mental space Prates' technique occupies.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old American Top Team standout who carries a 30-10 record and lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute, pointed to Prates' confidence in his takedown defense as the foundation for his aggressive knee output. According to Poirier, that security allows Prates to throw without hesitation, knowing he is unlikely to be dragged to the mat for doing so.
Analyst Dean Thomas rounded out the conversation by highlighting how seamlessly Prates blends knees with hand combinations, making it nearly impossible for opponents to pick up on visual cues before impact and effectively preventing them from settling into boxing range.
Why it matters
- Prates is establishing himself as one of the most technically distinct strikers in his division following this win
- The knee-as-threat dynamic he creates limits opponents' clinch options, a rare and high-level tactical advantage
- Multiple credible voices pointing to the same qualities suggests Prates' style poses a genuine puzzle for any future opponent preparing a game plan
