UFC 2009-Overated

Great initial output for an MMA fight game. I was hoping for something along the UFC's slogan "As real as it gets"... but I only got about half of that. I'm sure that these reviews are full of armchair blackbelts and 24/7 gamers...mixed in with these reviews hopefully are a few true mixed martial arts fighters (as I am) who also indulge in a little gaming.

The stand up is not too bad...circling is way too slow and the ability to unload a barrage of punches is hindered by input delay it seems regardless of how fast you are with the buttons...or how high your speed rating is in the game. Flying knees, superman punch, hooks, level changing is all done quite well.

The downside of this game is the ground fighting. The intent is there...the ability to execute and the high percentage of getting half guard, side-control and mount is ridiculous. I have improved my character in all areas to the point that taking me down, getting full mount etc...should be very difficult...alas myself, the AI and online players are able to accomplish this quite easy...and this should not be the case.

When on the ground and against the cage I should be able to walk my back up the cage and escape the ground game. Rubber guard is nice...but a rarity in MMA except for Eddie Bravo's guys and BJJ freaks like BJ Penn. My biggest problem is that there is not any evidence of a closed guard...or butterfly guard. Of course it's easy to transition from open guard to half guard to side control...the legs of the fighter in the down position are not used properly at all. There's no option of a high closed guard...or a body lock. These are KEY parts of defense while being on your back.

A good stepping stone (ala Elvis Sinosic) but much work needs to be done....OH and hardly anyone attempts or succeeds at a kneebar straight out of full open guard...simple defense is to push them off when their back is turned-which is a sin in combat sports all together.

Looking forward to UFC 2010.