Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his victory over Dricus Du Plessis. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee was the game-changer, noting he generates power by springing his whole body rather than just stepping. Sandhagen also praised Prates' unique high kicks that wrapped around DDP's head when in southpaw stance and his elbows that broke through DDP's defensive block. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knee threats covered significant distance and prevented DDP from working the body or boxing in the clinch, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time. Masvidal speculated the knees could neutralize wrestlers like Islam Makhachev changing levels, though he believes Makhachev's elite grappling would be a nightmare if he secured an early takedown. Dustin Poirier noted Prates opened DDP's guard with knees and elbows, adding that throwing knees fearlessly shows no concern about takedowns. Dean Thomas observed the knees were difficult to see and well-mixed with hand strikes.
