Multiple UFC fighters broke down Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knees and elbows. Cory Sandhagen said Prates' left knee changed the fight and that he generates power by springing rather than stepping, and also noted how Prates used unique high kicks that wrapped over the head. Jorge Masvidal highlighted how Prates covered so much distance with his knees and completely shut down his opponent's offense with the threat of them, calling it some of the best knee work he has seen in a long time. Masvidal added that Prates' length and knees could stop wrestlers, but that Islam Makhachev's grappling would be a different stratosphere. Dean Thomas noted how Prates mixed knees with his hands, making them hard to see. Dustin Poirier said Prates broke through his opponent's guard with knees and elbows, and showed no fear of takedowns.
