Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' striking against Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' powerful spring-loaded left knee that repeatedly snapped Della Maddalena's head back, and his unique high kick technique that wrapped over the head when facing southpaws. Sandhagen also praised Prates' chopping elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's tight guard, noting Prates' exceptional flexibility. 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 threat completely shut down Della Maddalena's clinch and body work. Masvidal speculated that while Prates could stop wrestlers with knees, Islam Makhachev's grappling would be a nightmare if he secured an early takedown. Dustin Poirier and Dean Thomas both noted how Prates' knees and elbows broke Della Maddalena's guard and that his fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more aggressively.
