Multiple UFC fighters including Cory Sandhagen, Jorge Masvidal, Dean Thomas, and Dustin Poirier provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Sandhagen emphasized that Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the unique springing motion and power that made the strikes devastating rather than simple step-through knees, and praised how Prates transitioned these knee threats into high kicks. Masvidal highlighted how the knee threat alone disabled Della Maddalena's ability to work the body or box in the clinch, calling it "Mortal Kombat level" striking, though he noted Prates would face a nightmare if Islam Makhachev took him down early. Thomas noted how well Prates concealed his knees within his hand combinations, while Poirier observed that Prates wasn't afraid of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more confidently and break through Della Maddalena's guard with knees and elbows. All analysts agreed it was one of the most impressive knee-striking performances seen in recent UFC history.
