Multiple UFC veterans have offered detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strikes following his recent victory. Cory Sandhagen emphasized that Prates' left knee "changed the game," noting he generates power not just from stepping but by springing his entire body, causing opponents' heads to snap back violently. Sandhagen also highlighted how Prates uniquely transitions the knee setup into a high kick that wraps over the head when facing southpaws, calling it "mega high level," and praised his elbows for breaking through tight guards that even stumped Sandhagen against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal noted that Prates covers exceptional distance with his knees and that the mere threat of them disabled his opponent's body work and close-range boxing, calling it "some Mortal Kombat level shit." Masvidal suggested Prates' length allows him to stop wrestlers with knees against takedown attempts, though acknowledged Islam Makhachev's wrestling would be a "nightmare" if he secures early takedowns. Dean Thomas praised how Prates disguises his knees within his hand combinations, while Dustin Poirier noted that his fearlessness of takedowns allows him to throw knees more boldly.
