UFC fighters analyze Carlos Prates' devastating knee strikes against Della Maddalena

Multiple UFC fighters broke down Carlos Prates' exceptional knee strike performance in his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique technique of generating power not from stepping but by springing upward, and noted how Prates converted the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over the head when facing a southpaw. Jorge Masvidal praised Prates' ability to cover distance with his knees and emphasized how the threat alone shut down Della Maddalena's close-range boxing and body work, calling it one of the best knee performances he's seen in a long time. Masvidal noted Prates' length advantage at welterweight and suggested his knees could stop wrestlers, though he warned that Islam Makhachev's grappling would present a nightmare scenario if he secured an early takedown. Dean Thomas pointed out how well Prates mixed his knees with punches, making them difficult to see, while Dustin Poirier noted that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more confidently, ultimately breaking through Della Maddalena's defense with knees and elbows.