Multiple UFC fighters and analysts provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance in his recent victory. Cory Sandhagen highlighted that Prates' left knee changed the fight, noting the unique spring-loaded technique that generated exceptional power without a step, causing the opponent's head to snap back. Sandhagen also praised how Prates converted the knee setup into high kicks by wrapping over the head, and his use of elbows to break through the defensive guard. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knee threats covered significant distance and disabled his opponent's ability to work the body or box in the clinch, calling it some of the best knee work he's seen in years and comparing it to Mortal Kombat. Masvidal suggested these knees could stop wrestlers like Islam Makhachev but acknowledged Makhachev's grappling as a nightmare scenario for Prates. Dean Thomas noted the knees were well-disguised within Prates' hand combinations, preventing opponents from closing distance. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more aggressively while breaking the guard with knees and elbows.
