Multiple UFC fighters and analysts provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike technique following his victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted the unusual mechanics of Prates' left knee, noting he generates power not from stepping but from a full-body spring motion while lifting the knee high. Sandhagen also praised how Prates converted the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over opponents' heads, calling it uniquely high-level. He noted Prates' use of cutting elbows to break through Du Plessis' defensive guard, something Sandhagen couldn't accomplish against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knee threat alone disabled Du Plessis' close-range boxing and body work, calling it some of the best knee work he'd seen in years. Both Masvidal and Dustin Poirier noted that Prates' lack of takedown fear allows him to throw knees more confidently. Dean Thomas observed how effectively Prates mixed knees with his hand strikes, making them difficult to anticipate.
Carlos Prates' finishing victory over Dricus Du Plessis has drawn widespread attention from fighters and analysts across the sport, with several prominent names offering detailed technical breakdowns of the Brazilian's knee strike arsenal in the days following the fight.
Cory Sandhagen was among the most analytical voices, pointing out the unusual mechanics behind Prates' left knee. Rather than generating power through a conventional stepping motion, Sandhagen described Prates as using a full-body spring while lifting his knee high — a technique that proved difficult to read and defend. Sandhagen also noted how Prates converted that knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over opponents' heads, calling the combination uniquely high-level. He drew a personal comparison, crediting Prates' cutting elbows with breaking through Du Plessis' defensive guard — something Sandhagen said he himself could not achieve against Petr Yan.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran with a 35-17 record, argued that Prates' knee threat alone was enough to shut down Du Plessis' close-range boxing and body work. Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he had witnessed in years. Dustin Poirier, 37, also weighed in, echoing Masvidal's point that Prates' willingness to engage without fear of takedowns is what gives him the freedom to throw knees so aggressively and consistently.
Du Plessis, the 32-year-old South African and current No. 2-ranked middleweight, entered the fight ranked seventh pound-for-pound and carried a 23-3 record. His blend of volume striking and active wrestling — averaging 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — made him a formidable opponent, yet Prates' unorthodox attack found consistent openings.
Coach and analyst Dean Thomas added that the seamless blending of knees with hand combinations was central to Prates' effectiveness, making it nearly impossible for opponents to anticipate which weapon was coming next.
Why it matters
- Prates' win over a top-two middleweight puts him firmly in title contention
- His knee-based system represents a stylistic problem few fighters in the division have faced
- The breakdown consensus suggests Prates' lack of takedown concern makes him structurally difficult to neutralize at close range
