Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed breakdowns of Carlos Prates' exceptional knee strike technique following his recent performance. Cory Sandhagen praised the unique mechanics of Prates' left knee, noting he generates power by springing his entire body rather than just stepping, and highlighted how Prates cleverly transitions the knee motion into high kicks that wrap around opponents' heads. Sandhagen also commended Prates' use of slicing elbows to break through defensive guards, something Sandhagen struggled with against Petr Yan. Jorge Masvidal called it some of the best knee work he's seen in a long time, comparing the performance to Mortal Kombat and noting that Prates used the knee threat to completely shut down his opponent's close-range game. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allows him to throw knees more aggressively. Dean Thomas noted how Prates effectively mixes his knees with hand strikes, making them difficult to see coming.
Several UFC fighters took to social media and commentary to break down the striking brilliance of Carlos Prates following his latest octagon appearance, offering detailed technical analysis of the Brazilian's knee strike arsenal.
Cory Sandhagen led the discussion with a close examination of what makes Prates' left knee so dangerous. Rather than generating power through a conventional step, Prates springs his entire body into the strike, creating force that is difficult to anticipate or counter. Sandhagen also noted how Prates disguises the knee motion by transitioning it seamlessly into high kicks that wrap around an opponent's head. The bantamweight contender drew from personal experience as well, praising Prates' slicing elbow technique as a way to cut through defensive guards — a problem Sandhagen himself faced against Petr Yan.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran who carries a 35-17 record and has spent his career operating at the highest level of striking competition, described the performance as some of the best knee work he has witnessed in years. Masvidal compared the display to Mortal Kombat and pointed out that Prates used the constant knee threat to completely neutralize his opponent's close-range attack.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from the United States with a 30-10 record and a career output of 5.24 significant strikes per minute, contributed an important tactical observation — that Prates' willingness to absorb or ignore the threat of takedowns gives him the freedom to throw knees with greater aggression than most fighters allow themselves.
Dean Thomas rounded out the analysis by highlighting how effectively Prates blends knees with hand combinations, keeping opponents unable to track or time the incoming strike.
Why it matters
- Prates is generating widespread recognition among active fighters for a technically distinct and highly effective striking game
- His ability to chain knees with kicks and elbows creates multi-layered problems that even elite defensive fighters struggle to solve
- The takedown-fearless approach to knee attacks represents a stylistic wrinkle that could trouble a wide range of future opponents
