UFC fighters praise Carlos Prates' elite knee strikes in Della Maddalena victory

Multiple UFC fighters analyzed Carlos Prates' exceptional knee strike technique following his victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted Prates' unique spring-loaded knee delivery that generates devastating power without a traditional step, noting how he transitions the knee threat into high kicks by wrapping over the head. Sandhagen also praised Prates' chopping elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's defensive shell, something Sandhagen couldn't accomplish against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he's seen in years, comparing it to Mortal Kombat and noting how the knee threat completely shut down Della Maddalena's close-range boxing. However, Masvidal cautioned that against Islam Makhachev's elite wrestling, one takedown could change everything. Dean Thomas noted the knees were well-disguised within Prates' hand striking, while Dustin Poirier emphasized that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allows him to throw knees more freely.