Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates's knee strike technique in his fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Cory Sandhagen praised the unique power generation, noting Prates springs his entire body rather than just stepping, and highlighted how he mixed knees with high kicks by wrapping around the head. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he'd seen in a long time, comparing it to Mortal Kombat and noting how the knee threats shut down DDP's boxing and clinch work entirely. Sandhagen also praised Prates's elbow technique for breaking through DDP's defensive block. Both Masvidal and Dustin Poirier noted that Prates's fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more confidently, with Masvidal suggesting this could pose problems for Islam Makhachev if they ever fight.
