Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee strikes and elbows. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the unique spring-loaded power generation rather than traditional step-in mechanics. He also analyzed how Prates transitioned the knee threat into high kicks that wrapped around the head when facing southpaw opponents. Sandhagen praised Prates' use of raking elbows to break through defensive blocks, a technique Sandhagen himself struggled with against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how the knee threat alone neutralized his opponent's ability to work the body or box in the clinch, calling it some of the best knee work he'd seen in years. However, Masvidal warned that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could pose a nightmare scenario if he secures early takedowns. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates' lack of takedown fear allowed him to throw knees more confidently. Dean Thomas observed how seamlessly Prates mixed knees with his hand work, making them difficult to anticipate.
A wave of UFC fighters took to social media and commentary platforms to dissect Carlos Prates' striking arsenal, offering detailed technical analysis of his knee strikes and elbow techniques following his latest performance.
Cory Sandhagen led the breakdown, zeroing in on Prates' left knee as a fight-changing weapon. Sandhagen noted that the power behind the strike comes from a spring-loaded mechanics rather than the conventional step-in approach, making it harder to read and time. He also pointed out how Prates leverages the knee threat to open up high kicks that wrap around the head of southpaw opponents, creating a layered offensive puzzle.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran carrying a 35-17 record, called Prates' knee work some of the best he had seen in years. Masvidal explained that the constant threat of the knee alone neutralized an opponent's ability to box in the clinch or attack the body. The experienced striker did offer a caution, however, warning that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could represent a nightmare matchup if he secures early takedowns. Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1 record, averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — the highest of any fighter mentioned in these discussions — and carries a 58 percent striking accuracy alongside his dominant grappling game.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from American Top Team with a 30-10 record and a career average of 5.24 significant strikes per minute, added that Prates' willingness to throw knees without fear of the takedown is what separates him. That mental freedom, Poirier argued, makes the technique significantly more dangerous.
Sandhagen also praised Prates' raking elbows as a tool to dismantle defensive shells, referencing his own difficulty handling that technique against Petr Yan. Dean Thomas rounded out the analysis by highlighting how naturally Prates blends knee strikes into his hand combinations, making each threat difficult to isolate or anticipate.
Why it matters
- Prates' knee and elbow game is drawing elite-level technical praise, signaling he is viewed as a serious contender
- Masvidal's warning about Makhachev's wrestling adds credibility to the champion's path to countering Prates' striking
- The multi-fighter breakdown reflects growing attention on Prates as a potential title threat in his division
