Multiple UFC fighters and analysts offered detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking performance, particularly his knee strikes and elbows. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique left knee technique that changed the fight, noting how he generates power by springing his entire body rather than stepping, and how he converts the knee threat into high kicks. Sandhagen also praised Prates' ability to break through defensive blocks with elbows, comparing it favorably to his own difficulties against Petr Yan's guard. Jorge Masvidal called Prates' knee work "Mortal Kombat level" and noted how the threat alone shut down his opponent's clinch game, while also discussing potential challenges against Islam Makhachev's wrestling. Dean Thomas emphasized how Prates mixes knees seamlessly with his hands, and Dustin Poirier noted that Prates shows no fear of takedowns when throwing knees.
