Multiple UFC fighters provided detailed analysis of Carlos Prates's knee strikes in his recent victory over Jack Della Maddalena. Cory Sandhagen highlighted the technical sophistication of Prates's left knee, noting how he generates power through spring-loading his entire body rather than simple stepping, and how he disguised knees as high kicks by wrapping around the head. Sandhagen also praised Prates's cutting elbows that broke through Della Maddalena's guard. Jorge Masvidal emphasized how Prates's knee threat completely shut down Della Maddalena's clinch work and body attack, calling it one of the best knee performances he's seen in years, while suggesting Prates could trouble Islam Makhachev with the same technique if he avoids early takedowns. Dean Thomas noted the seamless mixing of knees with hand strikes, while Dustin Poirier pointed out how Prates's fearlessness of takedowns allows him to throw knees with complete confidence. The consensus among analysts was that Prates displayed elite-level striking across multiple techniques.
