UFC fighters praise Carlos Prates' knee strikes after dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena

Multiple UFC fighters and analysts provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strike performance against Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted how Prates generates exceptional power by springing upward rather than stepping, and noted his unique ability to transition the knee setup into high kicks that wrap over the head. Jorge Masvidal compared the performance to Mortal Kombat, stating the knee threat prevented Della Maddalena from boxing at close range or working the body. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates opened up Della Maddalena's guard with knees and elbows, fighting without fear of takedowns. Dean Thomas credited Prates with effectively mixing knees with his boxing, making them difficult to see. The consensus among observers was that Prates' knee work represents some of the highest-level striking seen in recent years, though questions remain about how he would handle elite wrestlers like Islam Makhachev.