Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical analysis of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his recent victory. Cory Sandhagen described Prates' left knee as a game-changer, noting it was thrown with exceptional power by pushing off the ground rather than stepping, and that Prates uniquely transitioned the knee setup into head kicks that wrapped around his opponent's guard. Sandhagen also praised Prates' elbow work for breaking through DdM's defensive block. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time, comparing Prates' performance to Mortal Kombat and noting the knees prevented DdM from working the body or boxing in the clinch. Masvidal suggested Prates' length and knees could stop wrestlers like Islam Makhachev from changing levels, though he believes Makhachev's grappling would be a nightmare if he secured early takedowns. Dean Thomas highlighted how well Prates mixed his knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see. Dustin Poirier noted that Prates showed no fear of takedowns, which allowed him to throw knees more confidently.
