Several UFC fighters and analysts broke down Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee and elbow attacks. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique spring-loaded knee strikes that change games, noting how he transitioned knees into high kicks by wrapping over opponents' heads, especially effective against southpaws. Sandhagen also praised Prates' tomahawk-style elbows that broke through defensive guards. Jorge Masvidal called it one of the best knee performances he's seen in a long time, comparing it to Mortal Kombat, and noted that Prates' length and knees could stop wrestlers, though he cautioned that Islam Makhachev's takedowns would be a nightmare. Dean Thomas emphasized how Prates mixed knees seamlessly with his hands, making them hard to see. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates opened up his opponent's guard with knees and elbows, and his fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more confidently.
Carlos Prates found himself the subject of widespread praise from notable UFC figures this past week, as several fighters and analysts took time to dissect the striking arsenal that has made the Brazilian a rising force in the lightweight division.
Cory Sandhagen offered one of the more technical breakdowns, zeroing in on what he described as Prates' spring-loaded knee strikes and their game-changing quality. Sandhagen noted how Prates transitions those knees into high kicks by wrapping over opponents' heads, a sequence he identified as particularly punishing against southpaw fighters. Sandhagen also highlighted Prates' tomahawk-style elbows, which he said have the power to crack through even disciplined defensive guards.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran who carries a 35-17 professional record, called it one of the best knee performances he has witnessed in a long time, comparing the spectacle to Mortal Kombat. The six-foot-one Masvidal acknowledged that Prates' length and knee attacks could present serious problems for wrestlers, though he was quick to flag that a potential future matchup with reigning champion Islam Makhachev would be an entirely different equation. Makhachev, the 34-year-old Russian champion who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes at a 58 percent striking accuracy clip, would represent a nightmare grappling threat by Masvidal's assessment.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old Diamond from American Top Team who lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute in his own right, observed that Prates uses knees and elbows together to pry open an opponent's guard. Poirier added that Prates' apparent lack of fear around takedowns gives him the freedom to commit fully to his knee strikes without hesitation.
Dean Thomas rounded out the analysis by emphasizing how seamlessly Prates blends knee attacks with his hand combinations, making them difficult for opponents to read and time.
Why it matters
- Prates' striking variety is drawing attention from experienced veterans across multiple disciplines
- His knee-to-kick transitions and elbow combinations represent a technically uncommon threat at lightweight
- Masvidal's comments place Makhachev's takedown volume squarely in the conversation around Prates' ceiling
