Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed technical breakdowns of Carlos Prates' knee strikes in his recent victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted the spring-loaded power of Prates' left knee, noting how he transitions it into high kicks by wrapping over the head, calling it uniquely high-level technique. Sandhagen also praised Prates' slicing elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's block. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates' knee threats neutralized Della Maddalena's clinch work and body attack, comparing the performance to Mortal Combat. Dean Thomas noted the knees were difficult to see as Prates mixed them seamlessly with hand strikes. Dustin Poirier observed that Prates' fearlessness of takedowns allowed him to throw knees more boldly, ultimately breaking down the defensive shell with knees and elbows.
Several UFC veterans took to social media and commentary platforms to dissect what many are calling one of the most technically impressive knee-strike performances seen in the welterweight division, following Carlos Prates' recent victory over Jack Della Maddalena.
Cory Sandhagen offered perhaps the most detailed breakdown, zeroing in on the spring-loaded mechanics of Prates' left knee. Sandhagen described how Prates loads the strike before transitioning seamlessly into high kicks by wrapping over the opponent's head, calling the combination uniquely high-level technique. He also singled out Prates' slicing elbows, which consistently broke through Della Maddalena's defensive guard throughout the fight.
Jorge Masvidal, the 41-year-old American Top Team veteran who carries a 35-17 record and has long been regarded as one of the sport's most streetwise strikers, compared the performance to Mortal Kombat. Masvidal noted that the constant knee threat effectively neutralized Della Maddalena's clinch work and body attack, taking away tools that have been central to Della Maddalena's game.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from American Top Team who lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute and brings a 30-10 record into any conversation about elite striking, pointed to a key tactical element: Prates' willingness to absorb takedown attempts. That fearlessness, Poirier argued, allowed Prates to throw knees with greater conviction, and the cumulative damage from knees and elbows eventually dismantled Della Maddalena's shell entirely.
Dean Thomas rounded out the analysis by highlighting how difficult the knees were to track in real time, crediting Prates for blending them so naturally into his hand combinations that opponents have little time to recognize and react.
Why it matters
- Prates' win over Della Maddalena carries significant welterweight ranking implications, with momentum building around his name at 170 pounds.
- The breadth of fighter commentary signals that Prates' technique is being studied across the sport, not merely admired.
- His ability to neutralize clinch work and body attacks addresses two of the division's most common offensive strategies.
