EA Sports MMA

EA Sports MMA, a new cage fighting game, contends for the ultimate fighting game championship. This new Mixed Martial Arts fighting game, contending against THQ's UFC 2010 Undisputed, hopes to knock out THQ's Greatest Hit with exclusive fighters and intuitive controls.

EA's list of fighters lists acclaimed fighters 3-time UFC Heavyweight champion Randy "The Natural" Couture, original UFC Light Heavyweight champion Frank Shamrock and the most decorated heavyweight fighter of all time, Fedor Emelianeko. These names are supported by a cast the hardcore MMA crowd will recognize, such as Hidehiko Yoshida. Look further down the page for a full list of fighters. Star power is EA Sports MMA's largest battle against UFC 2010 as THQ's game consist of stars such as Tito Ortiz, Brock Lesnar, and Chuck Liddell; the biggest names in mixed martial arts.

IGN's first look reports that EA Sports MMA runs on "a heavily modified version of the Fight Night Round 4 engine." Tiburon, the team behind the Madden NFL series, is developing the game. Realistic hit damage, using the analog sticks for punches and kicks, will be the core attack buttons. The button commands will be customizable and no further detail was given on how takedowns will be initiated. However, the fighters won't be confined to an octagon for their grudge matches. Although Strikeforce fights within an octagon, IGN claims there will be other fighting licenses (rumor is Japanese fighing organization DREAM will be apart of the game). DREAM and other organizations fight in boxing-style rings. This would broaden the game's look, allowing for a unique style and a complete view of how the entire of mixed martial arts exists.

What EA needs to excel in to win will be the fighting system. UFC 2009: Undisputed's gameplay was solid, but it still needed some more work. The submission reversal system was too arcade-like as the user had to swing the analog-stick in circles or smash buttons (This is so-ten years ago. C'mon THQ, we're in a new decade) to escape. With the game being built off Fight Night Round 4's engine, this game can be the pure simulation version of this extreme cage fighting sport. UFC 2010 would be like the Smackdown vs. Raw series, with arcade-like controls, whereas EA Sports MMA would be like WWF No Mercy with a more realistic movements and controls. If EA MMA can steal the show here, it can pull out a victory similar to how EA's Skate destroyed Activision's Tony Hawk series. Skate brought in a more intuitive and realistic skateboard game, killing its competitor to the point that Activision went back to the drawing board with Tony Hawk: Ride, to only come back with an even worse game.

For new screenshots are available here.

EA Sports might have a large hill to climb, but if they develop a solid game, then it might win in a clinch. Below is a list of confirmed fighters, and for more, visit EA Sports MMA's official website.

EA Sports MMA Confirmed Fighter List from the official page:

Bobby Lashley - A former WWE wrestler currently in TNA Wrestling, Lashley holds a record of 5 wins and 0 loses, including a victory over Bob "The Beast" Sapp. In January, Lashley defeated Wes Sims at the Strikeforce:Miami event.

Brett Rogers - Formerly a fighter in the defunct EliteXC, currently fighting in Strikeforce, holds a record of 10 wins with a recent, but impressive, loss to Fedor Emelianenko.

Cung Le - Defeated Frank Shamrock for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship of March 2008, Le took time off to pursue an acting career. He returned to Strikeforce at the end of 2009, losing to Scott Smith by TKO. Le’s record is 6 wins and 1 loss.

Dan Henderson – Former Welterweight and Middleweight champion in Pride FC, Henderson currently fights for Strikeforce. During his second stint in UFC, he was a coach during The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom season, knocking out rival coach Michael Bisping during their bout at UFC 100. Henderson’s record is 25 wins and 7 lossses.

Fedor Emelianenko - With 31 wins, 1 loss and 1 no contest, Fedor is the most decorated fighter to never step into a UFC octagon. He is the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion. Recently, he defeated Brett Rogers at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers in November 2009.

Frank Shamrock - The original UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a veteran mixed martial artist. Recently fighting for Strikeforce, Shamrock record consists of 23 wins, 10 losses and 2 no contests.

Gegard Mousasi - From the Netherlands, Mousasi recently fought for Strikeforce in the U.S. and the DREAM in Japan. He was the first Middleweight Champion in DREAM and the 2008 Middleweight Grand Prix tournament champion. He holds a record of 28 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.

Gilbert Melendez - Former Pride FC fighter currently in Strikeforce, Melendez won the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship from Gabe Lemley. He lost the belt to Josh Thomson, but later regained the interim title from Rodrigo Damm, later unifying it with the original regular belt against Thomson. Melendez holds a record of 17 wins and 2 losses.

Hidehiko Yoshida - From Japan, Yoshida holds victories over Tank Abbott, Don Frye and Naoya Ogawa. Yoshida managed to make it to the semi-finals of the Pride FC 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix. Currently, the Japanese fighter holds a record of 8 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw.

Jake Shields - He is the current Strikeforce Middleweight champion and Rumble on the Rock 175lb champion. Shields also held the Elite XC Welterweight and Shooto World Championship belts. Currently, his record is 24 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw.

Jason Miller - Host of MTV show Bully Beatdown, Miller competed in UFC, losing to Georges St. Pierre in UFC 52 by unanimous decision. In 2006, Miller won the Icon Sport Middleweight championship from "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler. He currently fights for Strikeforce recently losing to Jake Shields. Miller records stands at 22 wins, 7 losses and 1draw.

Jay Hieron - Former champion of the International Fight League, recently fighting for Strikeforce, holds a record of 19 wins and 4 losses.

Joe Riggs - Welterweight fighter Joe Riggs fought for UFC eight times, defeating notable fighters such as Chris Lytle and Nick Diaz. He likes to use a right hook, KOing opponents. Recently, he lost to Jay Hieron in January at Strikeforce: Miami. Riggs holds a record of 32 wins, 12 losses and 1 no contest.

Josh Thomson - Former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Thomson fights for Strikeforce. He holds a record of 16 wins, 3 losses and 1 no contest.

Marius Zaromskis - Hailing from Lithuania, Zaromskis won the DREAM 2009 Welterweight Grand Prix and became their first Welterweight Champion. At Strikeforce: Miami in January, he lost to Nick Diaz by TKO. Hid record is 13 wins and 4 losses.

Matt Lindland - Fighting for Strikeforce, Lindland has fought the biggest fighters in the world today, including Fedor Emelianenko, Vitor Belfort, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. His record stands at 21 wins and 7 losses.

Melvin Manhoef – Dutch fighter Melcin Manhoef was the final Cage Rage Light Heavyweight World Champion. He recently lost to “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler at Strikeforce: Miami. His record stands at 24 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw.

Muhammed Lawal – Former Sengoku fighter, Lawal is a newcomer to MMA with only six fights in his career. Currently, he is undefeated. He won his last fight was at Strikeforce: Evolution against Mike Whitehead.

Nick Diaz - Diaz is the current Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, defeating Marius Zaromskis in January at Strikeforce: Miami. He’s fought in UFC, Pride FC, and EliteXC in the past. His record consists of 21 wins, 7 losses and 1 no contest.

Nick Thompson - Former Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion, Thompson fought for UFC, Sengoku, and many other mma organizations. With 51 fights in his belt, he has 38 wins, 12 losses and 1 draw.

Randy “The Natural” Couture - Couture, an mma legend, is a former UFC three-time heavyweight and two-time light heavyweight champion. “The Natural” holds victories over Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Tim Sylvia. Couture’s record stands at 17 wins and 10 losses.

Renato “Babalu” Sobral - Fighting for Strikeforce, and formerly for Affliciton and UFC, holds victories over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Kiyoshi Tamura. A former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, Sobral is a fierce competitor with a record of 35 wins and 9 losses.

Robbie Lawler - Fighting for Strikeforce, Lawler recently defeated Melvin Manhoef at Strikeforce: Miami. He holds a record of 19 wins, 5 losses and 1 no contest.

Ronaldo Souza - Defeating Matt Lindland in December at Strikeforce: Evolution, Souza’s background of Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grants him with great takedown abilities. With 11 wins, 2 losses and 1 no contest, Souza’s record displays his excellent skills.

Scott Smith - Smith’s a former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion, formerly fighting for UFC and WEC, currently fights for Strikeforce, defeating Cung Le by TKO in December. Smith holds a record of 17 wins, 6 losses and 1 no contest.

Shinya Aoki - Japanese fighter and submission specialist, Shinya Aoki, currently holds the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) Lightweight Championship, DREAM Lightweight Championship and Shooto Middleweight Championship. His record stands at 23 wins, 4 losses and 1 no contest.

Tim Kennedy - Currently fighting for Strikeforce and television company Showtime’s ShoMMA, this Army Green Beret has expressive victories over Nick Thompson and Jason Miller. Kennedy’s record stands at 11 wins and 2 losses.

Tyron Woodley - In 2009, Woodley’s first professional year as a cage fighter, he fought five times, winning all five. Currently, Woodley fights for Strikeforce and looks to set 2010 on fire.