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.
