Multiple UFC fighters and analysts provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his devastating knee strikes. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the unique spring-loaded power generation rather than stepping into the strike, and how Prates converted the knee threat into high kicks that wrapped around the opponent's head. Jorge Masvidal praised Prates' ability to cover distance with knees and use the threat to shut down his opponent's clinch boxing and body work, calling it some of the best knee work he'd seen in a long time. Dean Thomas noted how Prates effectively mixed knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see and preventing his opponent from entering boxing range. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates opened up his opponent's guard with knees and elbows, and that his confidence in avoiding takedowns allowed him to throw knees more boldly. The analysis suggests Prates' length at the weight class could pose problems for wrestlers, though concerns remain about facing elite grapplers like Islam Makhachev.
