UFC

This is a mixed martial arts game that is based on the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). There are a total of 97 (not including DLCs) UFC fighters in a number of weight classes and also includes UFC legend Royce Gracie and Bruce Lee as unlockable fighters.

When you're playing online, don’t go in with a set game plan to finish the fight. After all, there is no way to scout your opponent beforehand, meaning you don't know how good he or she is in the clinch, on the ground or even in the striking department. Your best bet is to let the fight play out naturally, then adjust your strategy to exploit your opponent's weaknesses.

If your opponent is an expert striker who easily blocks your attacks, you don't want to stand and let them pick you apart. That's a good way to lose the round and then the fight if neither of you are able to secure the finish. If you're taking more shots to the face then BJ Penn against Rory MacDonald, do the smart thing and drag the fight to the ground, controlling your foe before going for the submission. Even if you don't get them to tap, you've earned points for the takedown, controlling where the fight is taking place as well as the submission attempt. The same holds true for the opposite. If your opponent sweeps you every time you take them down, keep the fight on the feet, stuffing takedowns and going for points by winning the stand up game. The point is, think about winning the round first, then go for a finish if it presents itself.

Learn the Clinch Game

The reason for this is simple. It's the most underutilized aspect of EA Sports UFC, and therefore a lot of players don't know how to use it effectively. By learning it, you have a massive advantage. Even more than just learning the clinch, learn the Thai Clinch, allowing you to deliver some devastating knees with little fear of retaliation. We knocked out several opponents with knees to the head simply because they didn't know how to stop it.

In fact, the clinch doesn't have to be about striking. Maybe you've had a hard time taking the fight to the ground. Go for the clinch, then surprise your opponent with a trip or takedown, landing them on their backs and you in top position. In fact, you can even clinch up if you recently took some damage and need to slow the pace of the fight. Just make sure you learn how to transition, as well as how to block your opponent from doing the same. The last thing you need is to eat some of those Anderson "The Spider" Silva type knees when all you wanted was a hug in the middle of the octagon.

Utilize Fighter Abilities

This refers to Career mode, and it's a big one. EA Sports UFC allows you to develop a fight plan, allotting various perks that can improve your performance inside the octagon. Some examples are more damage output for consecutive strikes, recovering stamina each time you block an attack or progressing through a submission faster.

You don't get to use these abilities online, but you can tailor them to fit your fighting style as you battle your way toward that UFC gold. Just make sure that you check back after each contest, since you are always unlocking more slots and more abilities to fill them with. They don't always mean certain victory, but it can be the difference between winning and losing a close fight.

Kick 'Em in the Liver

We're being completely serious here. An early trend we noticed online is that people are great when it comes to blocking strikes to the head, but not so much to the body. For this reason, mix up your attack and throw power shots to the body. Get your opponent to block high by throwing a few punches, then smash them in the ribs. Just like you can stun someone to the head, you can also do this with body shots, opening up an opportunity to go for the knockout.

Taking things one step further, smart opponents will eventually figure out what you're doing, then start to block those body shots. When this happens, lead with the kick to the legs or torso, then go high with your combination. The idea here is to never be predictable and never throw one punch. It might work for Mark Hunt, but that's the benefit of having tree trunks for limbs.

Lateral Movement and Counter Striking

It's cool to try and block or parry strikes, but without movement you're eventually going to get hit. What we found is that lateral movement and distance are key to winning the stand up game. Hey, seems to work for Jon Jones, so why not us?

Most humans lack patience, and those who play videos games have even less. It makes sense, that's why every multiplayer game out there has a two-second respawn time. The same applies to EA Sports UFC. Expect your opponent to come forward, throwing bombs and trying to knock you into next week. Don't worry about it. Let them wear themselves out.

Your game plan in this instance is to keep moving by flicking the left stick. As your opponent approaches, try to move to their left or right, making them miss their attack and then countering with combos like we mentioned above. Your opponent is never more vulnerable then when they are in the middle of throwing a lunging strike that has absolutely no chance of landing. Our advice: time their attack, then move out of the way and promptly kick them in the face. One of two things will happen: they will hesitate, allowing you to control the pace of the fight, or they'll keep doing it and you'll make them part of your knockout montage. In this case, the choice is theirs.

How to Score an Easy Submission in EA Sports UFC

Just so you don't think our title is a complete lie, this is an easier way to score a submission, rather than a flat out guarantee.

There are two moves that every fighter can do. One is a standard takedown and the other is a Kimura. This is the most simple way to get your opponent on the ground, then bend their arm all crazy until they end up looking like Big Nog after Frank Mir got a hold of him. Seriously, Take a Look for Yourself.

To pull this off, start by taking the fight to the ground, then sit tight for a moment and keep your opponent pinned down. Every time you block a transition or attempt to stand up, they'll lose some more stamina and become more susceptible to tapping out.

Once you go for the submission, immediately press up on the right stick. This isn't a guarantee, but most people's natural instinct is to escape in that direction, and this gives you a shot at blocking it. From there, just continue to block their escapes, advancing your position when you can. If you've got your mic turned on, don't mind the swearing, that's just your opponent throwing a controller out the window.

Play as Bruce Lee and Royce Gracie
Successfully complete Career mode on the Pro difficulty or higher by winning the title in any weight class and getting your fighter inducted into the Hall Of Fame to unlock Bruce Lee and Royce Gracie. Note: Both characters can also immediately be unlocked as a pre-order bonus.
 
Using Evolution points effectively
In the early part of Career mode, do not focus on spending Evolution points on additional moves. It is more beneficial to use Evolution points to improve submissions, movement, takedowns, and other skills. When you are ready to purchase moves, get moves that will help you win a match (for example, "Submissive Side Control to Dominant"), and not moves that are more for show.
Stamina points The following is a list of the maximum Stamina points possible, per weight class:

Heavyweight (265 lbs): 65
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs): 70
Middleweight (185 lbs): 75
Welterweight (170 lbs): 80
Lightweight (155 lbs): 85
Featherweight (145 lbs): 90
Bantamweight (135 lbs): 95
Flyweight (125 lbs): 100

Trophies Successfully complete one of the following tasks to get a trophy:

The Ultimate Fighter (Platinum): Get all the trophies.
Begin With the End in Mind (Bronze): Earn the first ability of your Career.
In the Spotlight (Bronze): Upload a Highlight Reel to FighterNet.
Friends or Foes? (Bronze): Complete a Rivalry.
First Blood (Bronze): Win your first career fight.
To the Top! (Bronze): Earn a promotion in Online Championships.
UFC Contract! (Bronze): Win The Ultimate Fighter in Career.
The Big Time (Bronze): Fight on the main card of a UFC event in Career.
#1 Contender! (Bronze): Fight for a title in Career.
Iron Chin (Bronze): Survive a stun state.
Ahead of the Class (Bronze): Earn an early promotion in Championships.
Making Your Mark (Silver): Win 5 Career fights in a row.
Top of the Mountain (Silver): Win a UFC title in Career.
It's Showtime! (Silver): KO an opponent via cage kick.
The Art of Eight Limbs (Silver): Land a left and right punch, kick, knee, and elbow in the same round.
I'll Stand, Thanks (Silver): Stuff five or more takedowns in a single fight.
Do an AMA! (Silver): Gain 50,000 fans in Career.
The Arm That Feeds (Silver): Submit opponent in the first round via Armbar.
Fight of the Night (Silver): Win a Fight of the Night bonus in Career.
Submission of the Night (Silver): Win a Performance of the Night by Submission.
Knockout of the Night (Silver): Win a Performance of the Night by Knockout.
A False Sense of Security (Silver): Finish an opponent in the last 10 seconds of the last round.
Knockout Season (Silver): Finish an entire Championships Season by knocking out every opponent.
Submission Season (Silver): Finish an entire Championships Season by submitting every opponent.
The Prodigy (Silver): Complete Career with a win rate above 85%.
To the Wire (Silver): Avoid relegation on the 10th fight of a Championships season.
You Earned It (Silver): Earn promotion on the 10th fight of a Championships season.
You Got Somewhere to Be? (Silver): Finish a fight in the first 60 seconds.
Iron Heart (Silver): Recover from a stun state and finish your opponent in the same round.
Stand and Bang (Silver): Finish an opponent without ever going to the ground or blocking.
Gracie Pride (Gold): Earn 12 consecutive submission wins in Career.
Forefathers (Gold): Get inducted to the Hall of Fame in Career on the hardest difficulty setting.
There Is No "Try" (Gold): Complete all Challenges.

 

EA Sports UFC Career Mode
With that being said, check out our EA Sports UFC Career Mode Guide which will surely pave your path to becoming the ultimate champion.

Basic Tips
Play In-Game Practice Tutorials
Though it won’t do wonders, but you should always pay heed to in-game tutorials. Not only these will provide you with a firm understanding of the game, but you’ll also get some first-hand practice.
And while you’re at it, check out our EA Sports UFC Guides in which we have covered some basic techniques that every UFC player must know!

Focus on the Ground Game
Ground Game refers to attacking your opponent after a successful Takedown. With Ground Attacks, you’ll not only be dealing massive damage to your opponent, but also depleting his/her Stamina.
While your opponent is on the ground, you’ll be able to Transition yourself into different positions and even try for a Submission Attempt.
Practicing Ground Game will ensure that you give a hard time to your opponent. We have compiled a separate Ground Game Guide.

Dodge Opponent Attacks
Dodging and Blocking are the most important aspect of any fighting game, and EA Sports UFC is no different.
While simple blocking has its benefits, I would not recommend using it all the time. Why? Because it does not absorb 100% of the damage and depletes your character’s Stamina far more quickly.
Therefore, instead of Blocking, try and opt for Dodging. With Dodging, you’ll be able to create a safe distance between you and your opponent. Not only this will help you punish their whiffs, but avoid taking damage.
We have another guide related to UFC Striking and How to Avoid Getting Hit. Make sure to check it out!

Advanced Tips
Know your Opponent
Just as a match starts, don’t go barging in expecting to win a round. Take some time to know your opponent and familiarize yourself with the playstyle of your opponent.
Play out with different techniques and see which one works better for you! If your opponent is more into defensive playstyle, take the fight to the ground and deplete his/her Stamina before going in for the Submission Attempt.
Long story short! Try winning the round before finishing the fight.
Clinch Away
Clinching is by far the most useful technique for me! Most UFC players aren’t aware of how Clinching Mechanism work which puts clinching players on a huge advantage.
After getting your opponent in a Thai-Clinch, you will be able to execute different sorts of attacks; ranging from legs to head. Furthermore, Clinching can also be used to Takedown an opponent followed by a Submission Attempt.
Familiarizing yourself with clinching will ensure that you don’t fall prey to other Clinching players. Take some time and work around with Clinching, Transition Positions, and how to get on your feet after a knock out.
We have a separate guide on clinching which will guide you through all the basics of Clinching in EA Sports UFC.

Be the Unpredictable
This small tip can put you on a huge advantage, provided you don’t mess it up.
If you have been playing the game for a few hours now, you must know that each (Low, Medium, and High) strike needs to be manually blocked while going for Power Blocking.
You can use this thing for your own benefit by mixing different types of attacks in a fight. Your opponent will mostly try and block the High and Medium attacks, completely ignoring the Lower ones.
Use it to your advantage and execute a mix of these attacks combined with Takedowns, Clinching, and Submission Attempt. The idea is to be as unpredictable as possible and you will be leaving your opponent confused!

Best Way of Spending your Evolution Points
You will earn Evolution Points while progressing through the game. These points can be used to upgrade the skills of your fighter or buy extra moves.
Now, learning new moves can be helpful at times, but I would recommend going for Submissions, Movements, Takedowns, and other skills; furthermore, considering focusing on your basic defense like Chin, Stamina, and Endurance.

The Best Transitions
Your opponent’s mounts can be quite frustrating at times, especially if you don’t have much transitions to use. Your best bet is to spend your Evolution Points in Submissive Full Mount to Half Guard and Submissive Back Mount to Half Guard.
Although I would recommend getting all transitions, but it is a good idea to spend your early points in buying the above mentioned ones.

  

KNOCKOUT GAMEPLAY
• Knockout Physics System – A revolutionary new physics-driven hit reaction and knockout system delivers more visceral, more rewarding, and more authentic KOs than ever before. Every knockout is now unique, and finishing the fight has never been more satisfying.
• Next-Level Submissions – Surprise your opponent with a flying armbar from the clinch, or with a quick transition from a knee bar to a heel hook. The addition of standing submissions and submission chaining takes EA SPORTS UFC 2’s grappling game to the next level.
• Dynamic Grappling – For the first time in any MMA game, experience the freedom of independent fighter control in every grappling situation. Simultaneous two-fighter interaction brings the ground game to life with greater responsiveness and variety.
• Ultimate Defense – You can’t hurt what you can’t hit. Greater control over your fighter’s head movement lets you slip and dodge incoming strikes with amazing fluidity. Add an improved blocking and parrying system to the mix and you have new tools to fend off your opponent’s most devastating attacks.

UNMATCHED CHARACTER VISUALS & FIGHTER ROSTER
• Ultimate Fighter Likeness & Animations – A new facial modeling rig, the introduction of hair physics, and improved strike deformation work to make every impact more realistic than ever. Thousands of fighting and signature animations bring personality and a new level of athleticism to MMA’s stars.
• Biggest Ever Roster – EA SPORTS UFC 2 offers the deepest ever roster of any fighting simulation. Featuring a mix of MMA’s biggest stars and brightest up-and-comers, step into the Octagon as current and former UFC athletes, MMA legends, and maybe even a couple surprises.

A MODE FOR EVERY FIGHT FAN
• Career Mode Depth & Authenticity – Whether your goal is to be the top fighter on the planet, or the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, you control your career. The all-new Training Camp system makes preparing for each fight a balancing act between developing your fighter’s abilities and risking an injury. Throughout your journey encounter career-defining moments that will deliver heightened atmosphere and put more at stake inside the Octagon.
• UFC Ultimate Team – Create your team of up to five fighters using EA SPORTS UFC 2’s deep customization options. Compete in online or offline competitions to progress your fighters and earn coins that open packs which deliver special items used to sculpt your team into the most explosive in the UFC.
• KO Mode – With no grappling to worry about, unleash the punches, kicks, knees and elbows in this fast, fun, and furious mode; perfect for any fan looking to let the fists fly against their friends. The rules are simple…the fight doesn’t stop until someone gets starched!
• Custom Event Creator – Step into the shoes of a matchmaker and build the fight card of your dreams by choosing from hundreds of mixed martial artists. Select iconic venues, authentic referees, and custom fight settings, then play the event from start to finish and make sure the results live up to the hype.
• Online Championships – Step into the online Octagon for an all-new Title Chase. Compete with your favorite fighters against other warriors from around the world. Go on a win streak to earn a title shot in your division and defend the belt as long as you can. With an updated division progression system, as well as an all-new Title Chase and featured fighter system, you’ll have more reason than ever to build your online legacy.
• Live Events – Predict. Play. Win. Pick which fighters will win real matchups in upcoming UFC events and then bring those predictions to life inside the virtual Octagon. Win in-game rewards and propel yourself up the leaderboards of the most immersive fantasy prediction game you’ve ever played.
• Create A Fighter – Taking character customization to the next-level, EA SPORTS UFC 2’s Fighter Creation tool goes deeper than ever with robust facial sculpting, tattoo customizations and for the first time, the ability to create female fighters. Players can also sculpt their own GameFace uploads to perfection…before they get touched up in the Octagon.

TOOLS TO MASTER MMA
• Grapple Assist – Mastering the art of grappling can be an intimidating pursuit, but thanks to the all-new grappling assistance display, it’s easier than ever. Visual aids help players with ground game transitions, submissions, takedowns and much more, all in real-time, so that anyone can finish the fight like a pro.
• Practice Mode – Jump into Practice Mode and experience a no-consequences environment designed to let you master the basics of striking, grappling and clinch-work at your own pace before putting your skills to the test in real competition.
• Skill Challenges – EA SPORTS UFC 2 offers 12 new mini-games to help players learn and perfect stand-up, clinch, and ground disciplines.