Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical analysis of Carlos Prates's knee strikes in his recent victory, with particular focus on how they changed the fight's trajectory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates's left knee was delivered with exceptional power by spring-loading his entire body rather than just stepping, causing significant damage that altered the fight's course. Sandhagen noted Prates uniquely transitioned the knee setup into high kicks by wrapping over the head when facing a southpaw stance. Jorge Masvidal praised how Prates covered distance with the knees and used the threat of them to shut down his opponent's clinch work and body attacks, calling it some of the best knee work he has seen in a long time. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates broke through his opponent's guard using knees and elbows, and that throwing knees so confidently indicated he had no fear of takedowns. Dean Thomas noted the knees were difficult to see because Prates mixed them seamlessly with his hand strikes. Masvidal compared Prates's performance to Mortal Kombat and suggested his length and knees could stop wrestlers, though he believed Islam Makhachev's wrestling would present a nightmare scenario.
