Multiple UFC fighters and analysts praised Carlos Prates's exceptional knee technique following his performance against Dricus Du Plessis. Corey Sandhagen highlighted Prates's unique spring-loaded knee strikes that don't rely on stepping, noting how he mixed them with high kicks by "wrapping" around DDP's head due to the southpaw stance difference. Sandhagen also emphasized Prates's use of chopping elbows to break through DDP's defensive shell, a challenge Sandhagen himself faced against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal called it "some Mortal Kombat level shit," noting how the knee threat alone shut down DDP's body work and clinch boxing, while cautioning that Islam Makhachev's wrestling could pose problems. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates broke DDP's guard with knees and elbows, demonstrating confidence by not fearing takedowns when throwing knees.
