Multiple UFC fighters provided technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Joaquin Buckley. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique spring-loaded knee technique that generated exceptional power and his ability to transition knees into high kicks by wrapping over the head. Sandhagen also praised Prates' elbow work that broke through Buckley's guard. Jorge Masvidal noted how Prates' knee threats shut down Buckley's boxing and clinch work, calling it Mortal Kombat-level striking. He suggested Prates' knees could stop wrestlers like Islam Makhachev but warned Makhachev's grappling would be a nightmare if he secured early takedowns. Dean Thomas and Dustin Poirier both emphasized how Prates mixed his knees seamlessly with punches and showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more aggressively.
