UFC 2009 Undisputed Review & Game Analysis

By Mike Norton

UFC Undisputed 2009’s fighting system focuses on the six main standing and ground styles used in the UFC. On their feet fighters have a proficiency in boxing, kickboxing or Muay Thai. And whilst grappling or wrestling on the floor, fighters can utilize techniques from wrestling, judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The dual styles of your chosen fighter generally dictate your type of strikes and flavor of “Ground Game”. If your style is kickboxing and judo, you'll be able to zone your opponent with long-range kicks, and should you get in close, you'll have the means to throw them to the ground for a submission. However on the other side, I prefer Boxers and wrestlers because they generally have a good balance of standup and ground game.

Understanding Undisputed's many systems will take some time. An Undisputed novice will get to grips with the punches and kicks of the standing game relatively quick. The face buttons each represent a limb, and can be strung together for basic combos. While holding left trigger you will modify your attacks (Head shots to Body Shots, Body kicks to Leg Kicks). Right bumper and trigger can be held for low and high guarding. Although Undisputed aims for a more seamless approach to combat by removing any onscreen health bars, I'd recommended players to turn on the stamina display in the options menu. Training with it gives a better understanding of the importance of stamina.

Stamina and health are intertwined, because the maximum amount of stamina a fighter has can be somewhat viewed as a health bar. Offensive techniques drain stamina, but stamina can be recovered safely by guarding or backing away. However, as a fighter takes damage their Stamina bar will get smaller. A player with stamina in the red is significantly more susceptible to submissions and knockouts. I've played a few online matches where the opponent, even though close to full health, was knocked out in the first minute after completely draining their stamina and failing to recover it.  But on the flip side Yuke’s threw in these so called “Flash-Knockouts” which allows either player to catch one on the button at any time. Mainly from what I have seen this typically happens when you catch your initiating their attack, and its lights out.

Light punches and kicks are incapable of putting an opponent to sleep, but are very useful when setting up other heavy strikes. By holding a direction, the fighter's punches and kicks gain more weight, and if the conditions are right, have KO potential. Even more flamboyant techniques are opened up by holding the left bumper, which accesses style-specific strikes. These include flying knees and superman punches. If you miss, the recovery time is typically punishing. However, all strikes can be countered by flicking the right analogue stick up for high attacks and down for low attacks. Implementing this into your game is crucial, especially against a strike-happy opponent. (Flash KO) Thankfully the counter window is quite generous. Catch a foot and you'll take the opponent to the ground. Whereas catching a fist puts you in the clinch. (Countering is very simple, just a flick of the right joystick up or down)

Outside of countering, a clinch is performed by pressing forward on the right stick - but is easy to counter with an elbow to the face. A variation "striking" clinch is performed when combined with the left bumper. Clinching refers to two fighters grappling on their feet, and if they're either a wrestler or judoka, is an optimum position for flooring your opponent. Much like the real UFC, five three-minute rounds rarely end with both combatants having been on their feet from start to finish. A takedown attempt can be made at any time by holding the left trigger and flicking the right stick. And once on the floor, Undisputed’s fighting system is at its most impressive, but equally, it’s most confusing for beginners.

In the ground game, one fighter is dominant (on top) whilst the other is defending (bottom). Generally the ground game will start in open guard - where the defending player still has their opponent caught between their legs. This isn't a major disadvantage for the defender as the dominant player is outside of effective striking range and can only attempt basic submissions with a low chance of success - combatants are not allowed to punch each other in the balls. However, by making 90 and 135 degree rotations on the right analogue stick, the dominant player can attempt to improve his position via major and minor transitions. This can take him to half guard, side control and north south. You can even choose to let an opponent up if you are in the dominate position. (Very useful)

If you are a fan of MMA than you will really enjoy this game. With a roster of over 80 known MMA fighters at your fingertips.  There is even a decent Create a fighter story mode that allows you to manage your training and all sorts of other aspects relates to being a pro fighter. As far as on Line goes, this games plays very well and the matchmaking system seems to work pretty quick as well.  You can choose from Player Matches or Ranked Matches which keep tabs on your record.  

My only complaint with the game is actually directed at some of the Xbox Live community.  Because Ranked matches keep your record, There are little bitches out their (That’s right you all are little BITCHES who need to grow up) Who will unplug their Xbox or disconnect from a ranked match when they get caught in a submission or get KO’d.  Thus leaving you to read a screen that says “This match will be Invalid”….Yukes needs to do something about this fast because it will slowly turn more and more people away from a great game.

I starting to refrain from giving games an actual numeric score because I feel it’s pointless.  So if you are a fan of MMA or even just a good fighter, than this game is for you.  In my opinion its one of the TOP fighting games I’ve played so far for the 360.... 

Mike Norton – Gamertag: PrototypeMike