UFC 2009: moves, fighting styles, and tips

Idiot's Guide to UFC 2009: devastating moves, fighting styles, and opponent crushing tips

By Caleb Newby
May 19, 2009 14:10 PM PST
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Feast your eyes on GamePro's quick guide to maximizing your ass kicking in UFC 2009!

ALSO ENTER: Our UFC 2009 Giveaway Contest
ALSO READ: Our 5 out of 5 Star Review of UFC 2009
ALSO READ: A Closer Look at UFC 2009 Undisputed

UFC 2009: The Basics

Mixed Martial Arts terminology can seem like a different language. Fortunately, we're here to both entertain AND inform. Check out the Cliff Notes version of some common terms used in MMA.

Guard

Idiot's Guide to UFC 2009: devastating moves, fighting styles, and opponent crushing tips

When both fighters are on the ground, the best place the fighter on his back can be is with both legs wrapped around his opponent's waist. The fighter on top has restricted movement and is vulnerable to several fight ending submissions or reversals.

Half Guard

Similar to the guard, except the fighter on top has freed one leg with his other still trapped. Often during fights while both men are punching and throwing elbows, you'll see them working back and forth with their legs and hips to improve their position.

Side Control

The fighter on top has freed both legs now and is in a dominant position. The man on bottom has much less control over what happens at this point and is working on getting back half guard and blocking his opponent from making it to mount.

Mount

For all the older brothers out there, this should bring a smile to your face. For you younger brothers, the memories are no doubt less pleasant. This is a truly dominant position with the man on top sitting across his opponent's waist; free to rain down punches and elbows at will. If you're on the bottom, you're in trouble.

UFC 2009: Fighting Styles

Every fighter in UFC 2009 Undisputed specializes in a striking and grappling style. Each provides its own unique benefits in the game and can be mixed and matched when creating your own custom rookie.

Striking Styles

Boxing: Until recently, the relatively new sport of MMA has seen a strong boxing pedigree. Now that is starting to change as fighters and trainers are learning how to incorporate the "sweet science" into the multifaceted MMA arena. Boxers utilize few kicks and knees, instead focusing on finding their range and timing with their fists at a distance, or dirty boxing within the clinch.
Examples: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Marcus Davis

Kickboxing: Often used as a blanket term to describe several specific disciplines, MMA fighters described as kickboxers are typically diverse in their use of fists and feet. In addition to punches, kickboxers employ a more diverse arsenal of ranged attacks with powerful kicks. Thudding kicks into opponent's thighs, midsection, and head give a kickboxer a vast toolset of ranged strikes.
Examples: Chuck Liddell, Chieck Kongo, Michael Bisping

Muay Thai: Originating in southeastern Asia, Muay Thai focuses on utilizing eight points of contact: fists, elbows, knees, and feet. While sharing many similarities to kickboxing, Muay Thai fighters are particularly adept at fighting in the clinch with knees and elbows - often with devastating effects.
Examples: Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, Thiago Alves

Grappling Styles

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Focusing on submissions, Brazilian jiu-jitsu changed the landscape of martial arts. Every fighter who wants to be successful in MMA needs to have -- at the minimum -- a competent base in jiu-jitsu to avoid and protect themselves from common holds. Jiu-Jitsu experts are dangerous threats when on their backs, able to tie opponents up in knots.
Examples: BJ Penn, Frank Mir, Kenny Florian

Wrestling: With more and more wrestlers moving into MMA from the college ranks, it's getting crowded in the elite wrestler category. Being the better wrestler means being in control of where the fight takes place; while wrestlers typically flounder when put on their back, it is extremely difficult to get them there. Powerful slams and excellent control of the opponent's positioning while grappling often puts wrestlers in the driver's seat.
Examples: Georges St. Pierre , Josh Koscheck, Brock Lesnar

Judo: Not as common a style outside of Japan, judo has nonetheless proven its worth in MMA. Judoka's are dangerous within the clinch, capable of a number of unconventional trips and throws. On the ground, judoka's are proficient in a number of submissions and sweeps, making for an atypical and unorthodox method of control.
Examples: Karo Parisyan, Kazuhiro Nakamura