UFC fighters analyze Prates' devastating knee strikes against Du Plessis

Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Dricus Du Plessis. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting it wasn't a simple step-in knee but rather used a powerful springing motion that snapped Du Plessis' head back. Sandhagen also praised how Prates mixed knees with high kicks and broke through Du Plessis' guard with elbows. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time, noting that Prates covered massive distance and used the threat of knees to shut down Du Plessis' clinch boxing and body work. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates opened up Du Plessis' guard with knees and elbows, and showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more freely.