EA Sports MMA
Encyclopedia
EA Sports MMA is a fighting video game which was published by EA Sports
and developed by EA Tiburon
from 2008 to 2010. It was released for the PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
on October 19, 2010 in North America and October 22, 2010 everywhere else.
announced that an all-new fighting title is in development under the EA Sports brand. EA Sports MMA was released in 2010 on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Its website did not reveal any facts about the gameplay or its release date, just one link to sign up for the EA Sports newsletter and another that directs people to EA Sports' MMA forum. However, the Facebook page for the game released steady amounts of videos and preview information leading up to the release. This game has many options to create the ultimate MMA experience. The game focuses on global MMA, not restricting it's gameplay to one brand or region.
It was announced that the first trailer would be shown on CBS, during Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
on November 7, 2009. The trailer featured Emelianenko and Rogers performing a variety of attacks and defenses against each other. The trailer ended with both of the men about to punch each other in the face. It was announced that EA MMA would feature Strikeforce
as its flagship promotion.
Features:
The US cover for the game shows Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture, while the Japanese cover has Hidehiko Yoshida instead of Couture.
The game will also feature 'Live Broadcasts' that can be viewed from PC or consoles. The player will be able to upload hype videos, which will help to increase popularity. EA Sports will choose the fighters based on their Hype videos and schedule fight cards just like in real life MMA. Real life prizes will be given out to a certain level.
For arm and leg submissions, the players must tap either the submit or defend button several times until the defending fighter either submits or escapes. Success depends upon the player's ability to manage his stamina as every tap of the button rapidly drains the stamina meter. Refraining from tapping the button refills the meter just as quickly. The idea is to tap the button in short bursts while maintaining the stamina at optimum levels and never letting it drain completely.
For chokes, a circular image appears in the center of the screen. A colored marker moves along the circumference from clockwise to counterclockwise in unpredictable patterns and fades in and out of view. The player (whether on offense or defense) must track and match the movement of the marker with the left analog stick. The circle shrinks (while the screen fades to black) as the fighter gets closer to getting choked out and expands when one gets closer to escaping. The player who's better able to track the marker will win the mini-game.
One-hit KO's are possible with proper timing, but more common are TKO's that result from one player getting pummeled while unable to defend himself. Other possible outcomes are unanimous decisions, split decisions and draws. There are no DQ's as illegal moves cannot be performed in the game.
Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko
Fabricio Werdum
Josh Barnett
Alistair Overeem
Brett Rogers
Andrei Arlovski
Tim Sylvia
Jeff Monson
Hidehiko Yoshida
Bobby Lashley Andreas Kraniotakes
Bob Sapp
Herschel Walker
John McCarthy
Light Heavyweight Randy Couture
Ken Shamrock
Bas Rutten
Dan Henderson
"King Mo" Lawal
Gegard Mousasi
Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Vladimir Matyushenko
Roger Gracie
Melvin Manhoef
Kevin Randleman
Middleweight Frank Shamrock
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Jason "Mayhem" Miller Kazuo Misaki
Tim Kennedy
Robbie Lawler
Matt Lindland
Cung Le
Scott Smith
Benji Radach
Luke Rockhold
Murilo "Ninja" Rua
Dylan "The Disciple" Thomas
Welterweight Jake Shields
Nick Diaz
Pat Miletich
Jay Hieron
Frank Trigg
Tyron Woodley
Marius Zaromskis
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai
Lyman Good
Joe Riggs
Nick Thompson
Lightweight Gilbert Melendez
Shinya Aoki
Eddie Alvarez
Tatsuya Kawajiri
Josh Thomson
Joachim Hansen Gesias Calvancante
Mizuto Hirota
Lyle Beerbohm
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro Satoru Kitaoka
Billy Evangelista
Kron Gracie
Legend:Fighter can fight at HeavyweightFighter can fight at Light HeavyweightFighter can fight at MiddleweightFighter can fight at WelterweightFighter can fight at LightweightDownloadable ContentUnlockable
Mystic Liga De Combate United Fighters League Renegade Fighting League Weapons of Destruction
president Dana White
has declared himself "at war" with EA over the development of the EA Sports MMA video game. According to White, the UFC had hoped that EA Sports would pick up the publishing rights to the UFC's video game license, but EA Sports declined. White remarks, "EA Sports told us, 'You're not a real sport. We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this.'" The UFC instead partnered with THQ
to develop UFC 2009 Undisputed
. "We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White told reporters in July 2009. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now God-damn EA Sports wants to do a video game.
In response to these allegations, EA Sports have since claimed that Dana White held a meeting with EA in Los Angeles, who are responsible for such games as The Sims
; a separate entity from their EA Sports brand. Additionally, the fact that EA Sports began development of EA Sports MMA before UFC 2009 Undisputed was initially released led credence to the notion that the development of EA Sports MMA was not reactionary.
White warned the fighters who intend to be included in the upcoming EA Sports MMA game release, claiming that "If you do business with EA, you won't be in the UFC". Former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia
and Andrei Arlovski
, as well as Frank Trigg
and Vladimir Matyushenko
confirmed their presence in the EA Sports MMA video game. Fan favorite Randy Couture
was under contract with UFC before agreeing to be a part of EA Sports MMA, but is able to take part in the game due to never signing over his likeness to the UFC for use in video games. White has since changed his standpoint on this subject.
and former Pride champion Fedor Emelianenko
, both of whom grace the cover of the game, finally got the opportunity to fight each other, albeit via their video gamer personas. Fedor went on to win via TKO in the game.
Initial reviews have been positive with Metacritic giving the XBox360 version a score of 79% after 55 reviews (78% after 42 reviews for the PS3 version) and Game Rankings giving the Xbox360 version a score of 80.5% after 39 reviews (78.2% after 25 reviews for the PS3 Version). While EA Sports MMA remains a critical success thus far, it hasn't had the same success financially. According to a Cowen & Company analyst, sales of EA Sports MMA have been poor, with analyst Doug Creutz saying it’s “more or less dead on arrival at retail".
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
and developed by EA Tiburon
EA Tiburon
EA Tiburon is an Electronic Arts video game development studio located in Maitland, Florida, United States founded in 1994. It is located just north of the Orlando, Florida downtown area. It was formerly known as Tiburon Entertainment, which was acquired by EA in 1998.The studio is most well known...
from 2008 to 2010. It was released for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
on October 19, 2010 in North America and October 22, 2010 everywhere else.
Game details
On June 1, 2009, Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
announced that an all-new fighting title is in development under the EA Sports brand. EA Sports MMA was released in 2010 on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Its website did not reveal any facts about the gameplay or its release date, just one link to sign up for the EA Sports newsletter and another that directs people to EA Sports' MMA forum. However, the Facebook page for the game released steady amounts of videos and preview information leading up to the release. This game has many options to create the ultimate MMA experience. The game focuses on global MMA, not restricting it's gameplay to one brand or region.
It was announced that the first trailer would be shown on CBS, during Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
Strikeforce / M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rogers was a mixed martial arts event held on November 7, 2009. It was the first MMA event on network television since the now-defunct EliteXC promotion broadcast its final event, EliteXC: Heat, on CBS on October 4, 2008. The event had a four-fight main card...
on November 7, 2009. The trailer featured Emelianenko and Rogers performing a variety of attacks and defenses against each other. The trailer ended with both of the men about to punch each other in the face. It was announced that EA MMA would feature Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
as its flagship promotion.
Features:
- Venues include boxing rings, circular cages and hexagonal cages.
- The game includes multiple rule sets including Japanese, Vale Tudo, and Strikeforce rules in addition to standard Unified Rules.
- The game includes the ability to fight southpaw- or orthodox, execute foot stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the face on the ground, and fight on the cage, with deep clinchwork and countering.
- Mauro RanalloMauro RanalloMauro Domenico Antonio Ranallo is a Canadian sports announcer and commentator, with experience in football, hockey, professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts events. He is best known for his work as a commentator for PRIDE FC and, more recently, Showtime for Elite XC and Strikeforce broadcasts...
and Frank ShamrockFrank ShamrockFrank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
provide commentary, but are unable to announce most custom names.
The US cover for the game shows Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture, while the Japanese cover has Hidehiko Yoshida instead of Couture.
The game will also feature 'Live Broadcasts' that can be viewed from PC or consoles. The player will be able to upload hype videos, which will help to increase popularity. EA Sports will choose the fighters based on their Hype videos and schedule fight cards just like in real life MMA. Real life prizes will be given out to a certain level.
Gameplay
The default controls utilize the left analog stick for movement, right analog stick for strikes and face buttons for grappling. The shoulder buttons act as modifiers for the strikes which by default are punches aimed at the head, turning them into body punches, kicks or feints. Takedown/transition attempts and takedown/transition defense are performed by a single press of a button. Depending on the timing, successful defense can result in a sprawl, transitional block or a reversal. Submissions can be attempted by a single press of a button as well, and the defending player can prevent the hold from being applied if he reacts quickly enough. Otherwise, the fighters engage in one of two submission mini-games. Once a submission has been initiated, it is not possible to cancel out of it.For arm and leg submissions, the players must tap either the submit or defend button several times until the defending fighter either submits or escapes. Success depends upon the player's ability to manage his stamina as every tap of the button rapidly drains the stamina meter. Refraining from tapping the button refills the meter just as quickly. The idea is to tap the button in short bursts while maintaining the stamina at optimum levels and never letting it drain completely.
For chokes, a circular image appears in the center of the screen. A colored marker moves along the circumference from clockwise to counterclockwise in unpredictable patterns and fades in and out of view. The player (whether on offense or defense) must track and match the movement of the marker with the left analog stick. The circle shrinks (while the screen fades to black) as the fighter gets closer to getting choked out and expands when one gets closer to escaping. The player who's better able to track the marker will win the mini-game.
One-hit KO's are possible with proper timing, but more common are TKO's that result from one player getting pummeled while unable to defend himself. Other possible outcomes are unanimous decisions, split decisions and draws. There are no DQ's as illegal moves cannot be performed in the game.
Roster
Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum
Fabricio Werdum is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, a two-time ADCC world heavyweight champion and European Jiu-Jitsu champion. He holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in Pride Fighting Championships, the...
Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett
Joshua Lawrence Barnett is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler who currently fights in the heavyweight division of Strikeforce. Barnett has been an accomplished fighter in mixed martial arts, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship and the King of Pancrase Openweight...
Alistair Overeem
Alistair Overeem
Alistair Cees Overeem is a British born Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer, signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Dream Interim Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and made history by being the only fighter in combat...
Brett Rogers
Brett Rogers
Brett Charles Rogers is an African-American mixed martial artist who fights in the heavyweight division. Rogers has fought in EliteXC and Strikeforce.-Biography:...
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
Tim Sylvia
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
Jeff Monson
Jeff Monson
Jeffrey William Monson is an American mixed martial artist from Olympia, Washington. He is a 2 time winner of the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, and a No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion. He currently holds the Heavyweight titles in the International Sport Karate Association...
Hidehiko Yoshida
Hidehiko Yoshida
is a Japanese gold-medalist judoka and retired mixed martial artist. He is a long time veteran of Japan's Pride Fighting Championships, competing in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, also managing to fight in the semi-finals in the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix...
Bobby Lashley Andreas Kraniotakes
Andreas Kraniotakes
Andreas Kraniotakes is a German mixed martial artist. He competes in the Heavyweight division in various European Mixed Martial Arts promotions...
Bob Sapp
Bob Sapp
Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp is an American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former professional American football player. Sapp currently has a combined fight record of 21–21–0, mostly fighting in Japan...
Herschel Walker
Herschel Walker
Herschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
John McCarthy
Light Heavyweight Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Sebastiaan "Bas" Rutten is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, and kickboxer. He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak...
Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson
Daniel Jeffery Henderson, is an American mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler, who competes as a middleweight and light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and was the last Welterweight and Middleweight champion...
"King Mo" Lawal
Muhammed Lawal
|-| Win|align=center| 8–1| Roger Gracie| KO | Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov| |align=center| 1|align=center| 4:37|Cincinnati, Ohio, United States|||-| Loss|align=center| 7–1| Rafael Cavalcante| TKO...
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi
Gegard Mousasi, born Geghard Movsesian is an Armenian-Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is fighting out of Team Jurojin in Leiden, Netherlands and is a member of Russian Red Devil Sport Club and Netherlands' Golden Glory...
Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral , also known as "Babalu", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. He is regarded as one of the best light heavyweights of the night, and noted for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. Sobral...
Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko is a Belarusian mixed martial artist and the first and only International Fight League light heavyweight champion...
Roger Gracie
Roger Gracie
Roger Gracie Gomes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. Roger was awarded his black belt by his cousin Renzo Gracie at the behest of Carlos Gracie, Jr. whilst training in New York in 2003. He is currently a second degree black belt...
Melvin Manhoef
Melvin Manhoef
Melvin Manhoef is a Dutch-Surinamese Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist, trained by Mike Passenier and fighting out of Mike's Gym in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In kickboxing, he is the current It's Showtime 85MAX World Champion, and in MMA he was the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight World champion...
Kevin Randleman
Kevin Randleman
Kevin Christopher Randleman is a retired American mixed martial arts fighter and a former UFC heavyweight champion. Randleman's background is in Collegiate wrestling. Wrestling at 177 pounds, Randleman was a two time Division I NCAA Champion for The Ohio State University...
Middleweight Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock is a retired mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first to hold the UFC Middleweight Championship and retired as the four-time defending undefeated champion...
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Jason "Mayhem" Miller Kazuo Misaki
Kazuo Misaki
Kazuo Misaki is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist and former judoka. He was the 2006 Pride Welterweight Grand Prix winner, and is currently competing in Sengoku. He is a long time veteran of Pancrase and has also competed in Strikeforce...
Tim Kennedy
Tim F Kennedy
Timothy Fred Kennedy is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights for the MMA promotion Strikeforce. He is one of the only fighters to simultaneously serve full time in the United States Army while fighting professionally....
Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler
Robert Glen "Robbie" Lawler is an American mixed martial artist Lawler was the EliteXC middleweight champion before EliteXC filed for bankruptcy. Lawler has recently signed with Strikeforce. He is a member of Team Hughes fighting out of H.I.T...
Matt Lindland
Matt Lindland
Matthew James Lindland is an American mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and politician. He won the Oregon Republican Party's nomination for the Oregon House of Representatives, District 52 seat on May 20, 2008....
Cung Le
Cung Le
Cung Le is a Vietnamese-American Sanshou kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actor from Saigon, Vietnam currently competing in the UFC. He is the former IKF Light Heavyweight San Shou World Champion and has a professional San Shou record of 16-0 before moving to mixed martial arts...
Scott Smith
Scott Smith (fighter)
Bryan Scott Smith, , is an American mixed martial artist previously fighting at middleweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship making his debut at UFC 59. He also fought for EliteXC before it folded and currently fights for Strikeforce...
Benji Radach
Benji Radach
Benji Russell Radach is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He is a former member of the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League.-Biography:...
Luke Rockhold
Luke Rockhold
Luke Rockhold is an American mixed martial artist. He is the current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.Rockhold holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Dave Camarillo.-Early Life:...
Murilo "Ninja" Rua
Murilo Rua
Murilo Rua is a former Brazilian mixed martial artist who fought in Pride Fighting Championships. Nicknamed Ninja, he is the older brother of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. He is known for his well-rounded fighting skills, in particular Muay Thai and Brazilian...
Dylan "The Disciple" Thomas
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2008. who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself...
Welterweight Jake Shields
Jake Shields
Jake Shields is an American mixed martial artist who is currently fighting in the welterweight division of the UFC. He is the last Rumble on the Rock 175 lb champion. He is the first and last Elite XC Welterweight Champion. He is also the former Shooto Middleweight Champion and is the former...
Nick Diaz
Nick Díaz
Nicholas Robert Diaz is an American mixed martial artist. He is the former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, WEC and IFC Welterweight Champion. He has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships and Elite Xtreme Combat. Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian...
Pat Miletich
Pat Miletich
Patrick Jay Miletich is a retired American mixed martial artist and a current sports commentator. He is known for his fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC 16 tournament champion....
Jay Hieron
Jay Hieron
James Thomas Hieronymus , better known as Jay Hieron, is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is known for his wrestling base and heavy hands....
Frank Trigg
Frank Trigg
Dewey Franklin Trigg III is an American mixed martial artist, color commentator, pro wrestler and co-host of MMAWeekly radio show and TAGG radio show...
Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley is an American former amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri and is now a professional mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to a deal with Strikeforce.-Early life:...
Marius Zaromskis
Marius Žaromskis
Marius Žaromskis is a Lithuanian welterweight mixed martial artist. After fighting the majority of his career for British promotion Cage Rage, he signed with DREAM in 2009 and then, later that year, with Strikeforce. With DREAM, Žaromskis won their 2009 Welterweight Grand Prix and became their...
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai
Hayato Sakurai
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He was born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. He has a professional MMA record of 35-11-2 as of April 5, 2009. Sakurai has been fighting in mixed martial arts since October 1996 and was at one time considered pound for pound one of the greatest fighters...
Lyman Good
Lyman Good
Lyman Good is an American mixed martial artist and instructor. He currently fights as a welterweight in the Bellator Fighting Championships, and won the first Bellator Welterweight Tournament.-Biography:...
Joe Riggs
Joe Riggs
Joseph Jonathan Riggs is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has competed at weights ranging from Heavyweight down to Welterweight. Currently, Riggs fights as a Middleweight.-Background:...
Nick Thompson
Nick Thompson
Nicholas Delton Thompson is a retired American mixed martial artist. He retired with a professional mixed martial arts record of 38-14-1. He has fought professionally on both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bodog Fight shows...
Lightweight Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez
Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist of Mexican descent. Currently fighting out of San Francisco, California, he formerly competed in the lightweight division of PRIDE Fighting Championships and now competes in Strikeforce...
Shinya Aoki
Shinya Aoki
is a Japanese mixed martial artist, grappler, and former police trainee who is noted for being the DREAM Lightweight Champion and former Shooto Middleweight Champion. Aoki holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Yuki Nakai, as well as a black belt in judo. He is one of the most prominent...
Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez is an American mixed martial artist, and former Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight champion. Alvarez also competes for the Japanese DREAM promotion, and fought once for ProElite's EliteXC promotion...
Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri
Tatsuya Kawajiri is a Japanese mixed martial artist and a former Shooto welterweight champion, currently competing in Dream's lightweight division...
Josh Thomson
Josh Thomson
Joshua Joseph Thomson is an American mixed martial arts fighter training with American Kickboxing Academy. He has fought in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships and America's UFC, as well as Strikeforce and the World Fighting Alliance. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion...
Joachim Hansen Gesias Calvancante
Gesias Calvancante
Gesias Cavalcante Souza is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He is the 2006 and 2007 K-1 HERO'S Middleweight tournament champion. He currently fights for Strikeforce and DREAM...
Mizuto Hirota
Mizuto Hirota
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is a former lightweight champion in World Victory Road's Sengoku-promotion, the former lightweight champion for Cage Force, and the current DEEP lightweight champion...
Lyle Beerbohm
Lyle Beerbohm
Lyle Beerbohm is an American professional mixed martial artist who has fought for Strikeforce, EliteXC and King of the Cage. He currently competes in the lightweight division.-Biography:...
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro Satoru Kitaoka
Satoru Kitaoka
, is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He has fought the majority of his career as a welterweight for Pancrase, but moved down to lightweight in 2008 when he joined MMA promoter World Victory Road. Kitaoka is renowned for his submission grappling abilities and is the reigning BJJ and No-Gi Open...
Billy Evangelista
Billy Evangelista
Billy Evangelista is an American mixed martial artist who has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and Strikeforce in his career. His most notable wins are over former UFC fighters Luke Caudillo, Jorge Gurgel and current UFC fighter Nam Phan.-Early career:...
Kron Gracie
Kron Gracie
Kron Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a member of the Gracie family. He is the youngest son of Rickson Gracie and grandson of Helio Gracie.-Biography:...
Legend:Fighter can fight at HeavyweightFighter can fight at Light HeavyweightFighter can fight at MiddleweightFighter can fight at WelterweightFighter can fight at LightweightDownloadable ContentUnlockable
Organizations
StrikeforceStrikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
Mystic Liga De Combate United Fighters League Renegade Fighting League Weapons of Destruction
UFC controversy
UFCUltimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
president Dana White
Dana White
Dana White is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.- Biography :...
has declared himself "at war" with EA over the development of the EA Sports MMA video game. According to White, the UFC had hoped that EA Sports would pick up the publishing rights to the UFC's video game license, but EA Sports declined. White remarks, "EA Sports told us, 'You're not a real sport. We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this.'" The UFC instead partnered with THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
to develop UFC 2009 Undisputed
UFC 2009 Undisputed
UFC 2009 Undisputed is a mixed martial arts video game featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship properties and fighters developed by Yuke's Osaka and published by THQ. The game was released in the US on May 19, 2009, for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3...
. "We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White told reporters in July 2009. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now God-damn EA Sports wants to do a video game.
In response to these allegations, EA Sports have since claimed that Dana White held a meeting with EA in Los Angeles, who are responsible for such games as The Sims
The Sims
The Sims is a strategic life-simulation computer game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Its development was led by game designer Will Wright, also known for developing SimCity...
; a separate entity from their EA Sports brand. Additionally, the fact that EA Sports began development of EA Sports MMA before UFC 2009 Undisputed was initially released led credence to the notion that the development of EA Sports MMA was not reactionary.
White warned the fighters who intend to be included in the upcoming EA Sports MMA game release, claiming that "If you do business with EA, you won't be in the UFC". Former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Champion. He trains as a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp and is part of their MFSE group...
and Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Valeryevich Arlovski is a Belarusian kickboxer, mixed martial artist and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
, as well as Frank Trigg
Frank Trigg
Dewey Franklin Trigg III is an American mixed martial artist, color commentator, pro wrestler and co-host of MMAWeekly radio show and TAGG radio show...
and Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Matyushenko
Vladimir Vladimirovich Matyushenko is a Belarusian mixed martial artist and the first and only International Fight League light heavyweight champion...
confirmed their presence in the EA Sports MMA video game. Fan favorite Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
was under contract with UFC before agreeing to be a part of EA Sports MMA, but is able to take part in the game due to never signing over his likeness to the UFC for use in video games. White has since changed his standpoint on this subject.
Game launch and reception
EA Sports MMA launched on October 19, 2010, with a public launch party for fans and media. At the gatherings, UFC Hall of Fame fighter Randy CoutureRandy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
and former Pride champion Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
, both of whom grace the cover of the game, finally got the opportunity to fight each other, albeit via their video gamer personas. Fedor went on to win via TKO in the game.
Initial reviews have been positive with Metacritic giving the XBox360 version a score of 79% after 55 reviews (78% after 42 reviews for the PS3 version) and Game Rankings giving the Xbox360 version a score of 80.5% after 39 reviews (78.2% after 25 reviews for the PS3 Version). While EA Sports MMA remains a critical success thus far, it hasn't had the same success financially. According to a Cowen & Company analyst, sales of EA Sports MMA have been poor, with analyst Doug Creutz saying it’s “more or less dead on arrival at retail".