Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Dricus Du Plessis. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the explosive power generated not from stepping but from a spring-loaded motion. Sandhagen also praised Prates' ability to transition the knee setup into high kicks that wrapped around Du Plessis' head. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he had seen in a long time, comparing the performance to Mortal Kombat and noting how the knee threat completely shut down Du Plessis' clinch game. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas also praised how Prates' knees and elbows broke through Du Plessis' defense, with Poirier noting that Prates' lack of fear of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more aggressively.
