EA Sports UFC 5 Review - The Final Verdict

For all its success with Madden, FIFA (before EA Sports FC) and NHL, you would think Electronic Arts would figure out its fighting game franchises. Fight Night is nowhere to be seen, and the UFC series, which arguably peaked with UFC Undisputed 3, hasn't received as much love and care as, say, Visual Concepts' WWE 2K series.
That's incredibly evident in EA Sports UFC 5. While it adds new mechanics like doctor stoppages, Authentic Damage affecting in-ring performance and a new submission system, it's a little too reminiscent of 2020's EA Sports UFC 4.
EA Sports UFC 5 is still a competent and fun rendition of mixed martial combat. However, its recycled Career Mode and character creator, lackluster ground and pound, and whatnot make it more of a stopgap release than the next big step for the franchise.

[@OfficalMrBlue]

After several fights you seen it all. 3/10

[@Guinniemen]

I feel the exact same way. Same as the madden games 😂😂😂

[@rodplays3726]

​@Guinniemen that's every sport game idk why yall expect them to be able to diverse alot nba tried that by making a city and everyone hated it you play these games to do 1 thing specifically

[@sportstronics]

I agree. Feels scripted and predictable after experiencing several fights.

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

@@GuinniemenI mean it’s a fuckin sports game … you watch the same sport whenever it comes on right ????? You want them to add rainbow road to the damn game ?

[@Silenthitman44]

​@BROOKLYNBORN1994 They should have improved the animations a bit, the ground game is booty, and career mode is the same as last year's. They reused a lot of resources and things that other games in the series are gone, same text messages, same dialog, etc The career mode especially Is just copy and paste, everything is social media, they removed some of the options in sparing, made it harder to get peak stanima, your character has a voice but that doesn't matter since you won't matter since it barely comes up. I could go on and on

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

EA Sports benifits off being the only viable option. Whenever there's competition, they either dissappear, or buy exclusive rights. That's why there's no MLB or NBA game. So as long as there's no competition, EA Sports will continue to release copy pasted games for all their drone fans to purchase. I think they did a great job with FNC though, and I would love to have a successor to that game. As long as it's even a little bit better, can't go wrong. Been too long without a proper boxing game. Undisputed absolutely sucks.

[@NwK2oo7]

You’re right. The original UFC games were much better

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

A follow up to my previous comment... I've since been gifted Madden NFL 24, and I have to be honest... It a pretty solid and fun game😏. Running, passing, and tackling is more consistent than it's ever been. I love that the refs are back on the field, and I still enjoy the commentary team, however, the presentation still needs a major overhaul. I really dislike the main menus, and the constant rap, and or hip hop music. Throw some rock genres in there, like the old days when AFI, Good Charlotte, Blink 182, Yellowcard, Green Day, Hoobastank, Chevelle, 30 Seconds To Mars, Andrew W.K, Atreyu, Taking Back Sunday, and Underoath were on the soundtrack🤘. Add TV networks, real pre, half, and post game shows, expanded stats tracking, NFL films music, etc. Hopefully Madden 25 will improve in the presentation department. If it's legit, I might actually buy a copy for myself this year.

[@thedarknate0845]

Yeah EA is trash

[@jordanlanford4354]

Worst $90 I've ever spent. Literally

[@Tyler-hs9eu]

A good lesson to never preorder or just wait for reviews, especially on sports games. Not much evolution between entries.

[@rodplays3726]

My biggest problem with career mode is that when you're doing a specific training and they tell you to do the certain moves if you dont have it equip or unlock you cant progress which causes you to waste those points for exampme the superman punch i didnt have it but they wanted me to do it was very irritating

[@matthewboyajian9593]

Do you want a pipe smoking mod for males ownly in hogwarts legacy?

[@lukashood25]

Yo isn’t it crazy that the trainer tells you to “stay on her” or “that’s right she’s hurt” when you’re using a male fighter….. really authentic shit.

[@Sugabullets]

You're not supposed to choose that, it shows what you are going to practice on if you go into it. Or you can refresh the challenges.

[@rodplays3726]

@Sugabullets I usually rush through the challenges so I don't be checking which is my fault but still it seem like a bad design to put a move as a requirement that isn't already assigned to your character

[@128scalps]

As someone new to the series I feel like the training/sparring isn’t really good at teaching you the mechanics of the game and the “tutorials” are kind of half assed. Not once have I felt fully prepared going into a fight unless it’s against someone much weaker than me, and I have to do most of my learning in actual fights.

[@reggiebass949]

How did the camera flip at the beginning of the fight? Can you fix fighter to one side of the screen?

[@LuanJaguarREAL]

a shame, they didnt even add any new fighters. Mokaev, Umar, Bryce, Drew Dober, Geoff Neal, Ian Garry, Jailton, Spivac all are missing. I can understand Ngannou being removed due to issues, but Brock Lesnar is also removed and they didnt even bother adding any new ones maybe Don Fryue, Bas Rutten, Cro Cop, Randleman etc. they only added Tyson, Ali and Fedor thats all. all else they added are some Alter egos which are just skins and more skins for Bruce Lee.

[@QBryant14]

they will in a mintune hope they add ed herman next he has never been added

[@gloriouskatatsumuri]

Very unrealistic, it's not UFC if it's not spamming "power slap" down your throat every 5 minutes.

[@matthewboyajian9593]

Do you want a pipe smoking mod for males ownly in hogwarts legacy?

[@gloriouskatatsumuri]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[@SkankHunt007]

Copy and paste from 4. EA is in full stride with this one.

[@S3RAVA3LM]

How do i get the 85% reimbursement after buying this game? It says they want premium price for a copy & paste. Where in the...is Undisputed boxing already. Hopefully psn+ essentials has this for next month. Using boxers to sell an mma game.

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

Exactly, instead of making an actual boxing game. Undisputed sucks though. FNC is still way better.

[@Chronic420stillsmokin]

Can someone tell me why I can’t switch stances in fight now matches ? (I’m pressing the button but it’s not workin )

[@KyloBeto]

we need another Fight Night!!!!!! EA FIGHT NIGHT NOW!!!!

[@gameplayer1980]

It makes you wonder whether they were underfunded in the past 3 years and porting to Frostbite ate up all their staff.

[@jbitts]

Typical EA, fresh coat of paint for $80 please

[@TruckNgamin]

Did the 10 hour trial and this game is not even worth $40 let alone 70

[@trevorfrison752]

Appreciate that.

[@cikiedo]

As an ea ufc player I can't give it more than 5. I played all of them and this one is very strange. Fighters feel slow and heavy, only 2 animations for doc stopage, it's never a surprise if fight gonna be stoped, u know it as soon as u see it. And every fight doc can stop the fight, it's too much. Only graphics are better and ground game I guess, but standup is very bad comparing to ufc 3 or 4. Really sad to say that it's not worthed, wait fore sale, don't make a same mistake like I did.

[@vanesopoaga6341]

Facts

[@stephenandrew7314]

Its literally the same game just added Muhammed Ali and Tyson

[@UNDEFEATED7000]

No

[@positivevibesrfc]

Isn't Mike a rapist? Why would anyone want to play as that?

[@Mrandythefoodman]

Its still early days but i just cant get into it the story mode just gets boring and then when you go online people just spam fast punches at the moment i prefer ufc 4 but time will tell i guess.

[@thenefariouspyro809]

Ea need to Def jam icon clothes in this game that would be cool

[@rudra7615]

I expected better graphics and physics

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

You want games to look like the world we live in ? The graphics are amazing . What more do you want ! It’s a damn game ! I can tell some of y’all just started playing games

[@jayjaymerritt2785]

The graphics are not amazing. They are using a 15 year old "new" engine built for FPS games, and calling it new. The blood, fluid physics, were all in UFC 4, and the swelling system is from fight night round 2, a game that came out in 2005. The fact you can call a copy pasted game , worked on for 3 years and released ONLY for next gen, is laughable. If I knew your friends, I would plead with them NEVER to use you as a designated driver. Ever.😂😂😂

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

@@jayjaymerritt2785 if you didn’t know what engine was using you wouldn’t be saying this . Look with your eyes . The graphics are pretty damn good . Get a grip

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

@@jayjaymerritt2785 you sound dumb af right now . Oh they using a old engine so no it doesn’t look good …. As someone who plays video games daily …. Yes the game looks pretty damn good ! Idc how old the engine is . Makes it even more impressive . Stfu

[@Afflictamine]

yeah the looks graphics in the gameplay looks shitter than the 'gameplay reveal' trailer they did

[@sportstronics]

Has definitely never seen the movie Blood Sport. Coomite baby!

[@gloriouskatatsumuri]

Kumite, Kumite, Kumite! Top drawer film!

[@dctrbrass]

That was an awesome movie back in the day.

[@stylesick4ever]

I will wait for ufc 6

[@resfan000]

You will wait for none becuase ufc is trash

[@user-si8qo1mc5g]

Good idea bro 😂

[@kytim89]

It will be the same game.

[@stefanforsgren9023]

Is is possible to injure your training partners as it was in ufc 4, anyone knows this? If you knocked your training partner out during training, they were gone for a few weeks. was the most fun part of the game loved to send them all to the hospital before my big fight. I hope they didnt remove this

[@whoishe2527]

I know I’m late but they didn’t, I always knock my training partner out 🤣

[@Muahaha651]

Most sane ufc enjoyer

[@DGodwin]

If u have got ufc 4 then save your money it's literally the same game. Same roster. 3 year wait for this.

[@cjboyer4355]

Hate the uppercut and spinning buttons. Doctor stoppage is a little to OP at the moment. I like that wrestlers don’t try and take you down every 5 seconds like in 4. Overall I wish I would’ve waited till it went on sale.

[@ErikG_96]

I think its badass but then again my last ufc game was ufc 2, you cant expect many changes if you buy them every year

[@ZenMadeGaming]

ufc 2 came out in 2016. Why wait 7 years? Are you gonna play 1 UFC per generation?

[@Radjhitoocool]

It was 3 years 😩

[@crisdorcas4655]

On hard they don't check leg kicks y????

[@PacoChaze]

It sucks, i can‘t change the stance on ps5 with the r3 buttom Only in the Training Mode it works -.-

[@gameave]

Thats weird are you sure its not your controller thats messed up. R3 click of the analog works perfectly fine for me

[@PacoChaze]

@@gameave hello, thx 4 the answer, it works now, i have changed something in the settings

[@user-oh1jp7iw3u]

They really didn't put any effort into changing the commentary

[@LucieOne]

It's pretty much what I expected. I'm enjoying it so far, even though they changed the uppercut buttons which I still have to adjust to.

[@Locoking420]

Damn what buttons they change it to? It easy or harder the same

[@LucieOne]

@@Locoking420 It's like R1+triangle & R1+circle I think, for either hand. I'm going to say it's more difficult, but that surely has to do with the fact that I was SO used to the old way. I play it and I'm still pressing triangle+circle.

[@Locoking420]

@LucieOne so what is triangle and circle do at the same time lol I hope it's something worth a damn. I don't know if I'm going to be purchasing the game from the reviews I've read it looks like they are came out with UFC 4 5 from the reviews

[@LucieOne]

@@Locoking420 Triangle + circle now grabs the clinch. Overall, the game is pretty much what I expected so far. I still have to learn the ground game and do the career and stuff. But it's a sports game and they go on sale fairly quickly, so if you wanted to wait until the holidays, just a few weeks, wouldn't be the worst idea.

[@aaronreid1445]

How do you throw Hooks now dude?

[@YourGFsFavoriteBF]

I guess EA didn’t pay up for that advertisement check….

[@DerangedCoconut808]

EA just needs to save their ATMs i mean "fans" the hassle, lower developer cost by just having 3 people manage it since their other games feel like its just developed by 3 programmers (ends being roster updates anyways) and streamline the money grabbing by just live servicing their sports games. Develop 2 versions (license and generic) so when they lose the license, they can just immediately reskin the game to EA *insert generic sports game title here* but at least keep stats that are mostly arbitrary that they can be applied to any digital body.

[@Derekdach344]

Im just waiting on a new boxing game

[@PeopleCallMeQ]

this looks damn near exactly the same as ufc 4. How hard is it to create a deep in depth career mode with fighters. Look up any rpg and learn. This sht is pathetic

[@bdavis479x]

That's what I gave it. A 7. Maybe a 7.5. It's a fun game if you liked UFC 4.

[@matthewboyajian9593]

Do you want a pipe smoking mod for males ownly in hogwarts legacy?

[@Thats-What-We-Dewwwww]

@@matthewboyajian9593I want your mom to smoke my pipe just one more time

[@welch253]

Looks like a pass this year lol

[@Boss_Fight_Wiki_muki_twitch]

You can see a weakness in a game designed like this, if being damaged diminishes a player's ability to respond, the player enters a death spiral

[@S.E.J]

You copied this

[@letmegetuhhh3959]

That’s how fighting is though. It should arguably be worse, a real life big shot can put you out way faster than the game which doesn’t have a ton of real flash KOs.

[@seanjjpaul]

This comment is copied and paste from the ign review

[@vhrjames]

they made it a point that accumulated damage makes ur player have worse accuracy, power, stamina, etc. that happens irl as well

[@Afflictamine]

so just swing first and don't get hit ? lmao

[@OdinAesthetic]

When its $19 ill give it a go.

[@superchesman38]

Shit, I will buy it 15 and under, it looks horrible.

[@Raiders-wm5kb]

UFC 4.1 They should take notes from WWE 2K23

[@gee2661]

I’ve played EVERY UFC game… I just got this one 2 days ago… This isn’t an evolution of a game we waited over 3 years for… This is a facelift w minor touch ups… EA is pathetic… How have they not figured out yet how to properly put a bounce in fighters steps? N the whole cut thing is ridiculous needs to be patched… Disappointed!!! I expect HEAVY updates forthcoming…

[@xViVaLaBAMx]

This is just so disappointing, EA has grown into multi billion $ company which cares about making even more money and cba about what gamers truly want.

[@CT-ig4xu]

Ground game is absolutely trash and every single time your taken down you can almost guarantee you will be held there. Doctor stoppages are broken and over used. I will often have my opponent cut worse than myself and be finished via doctor stoppage. Spinning moves are garbage. Honestly won’t buy the next one

[@o.c.d.5844]

What's funny is that I just saw an article calling this the best UFC iteration to date. A bunch of 9/10 and 8.5/10 but its all bs!

[@frannyfranman]

Lolol “Koo-mytes”

[@WALKERSDUB20]

Ufc 3 on the PS3 is still the best Ufc game ever released.... we need a remastered version of that.

[@courtneyward7149]

Undisputed 3 is the best

[@colt45jb]

Need fight night

[@Six666Xis]

Kumite is pronounced (coom - mit- tay) sorry but coomite was really funny 😅

[@rodplays3726]

Game is amazing get it if you like mma especially if you like ufc4 but there isnt much from ufc4 to ufc5 still a amazing game just not that much of a difference

[@hallodeutschland6609]

So why i need ufc5 then that Shit ist Trash i gave it Back

[@UNDEFEATED7000]

I agree

[@UNDEFEATED7000]

@@hallodeutschland6609is trash is the Best UFC i ever played and played all

[@Silenthitman44]

Wouldn't call it amazing but it's solid enough to buy if you haven't played the previous ones but if you have then there is no need it's only a slight improvement over 4 and not much has changed

[@Gattsu1986]

I haven't played since UFC 2, worth it you reckon?

[@Weird_A.I]

Imagine being told you have to showcase the female fighter gameplay for the sake of equality by your boss.

[@pomyboy1793]

The movement feels heaps slow and clunky

[@dirtbikeryzz]

Literally the same game

[@MikkiZHskDK]

they keep messing these game up, the punch and kicks feels like your a baby todler, i want it to be like real ufc where you can actually feel like a kick connecting or a hit feels bone crushing, a game like mk and tekken or even street fighter can get the satisfaction of hitting some1 feel great and meaty, here a leg kick or a knee feels like a kid fight, no real weight behind the attacks... it was a huge misstep in 4 and its back in 5....

[@jayhoodxxxx]

Real fans of mixed martial arts understand this isn’t a true martial arts game it’s a fucking joke that this is what they did in 3 years we need someone else to do this shit only way is for fans voice to be heard

[@FuckShit589]

Lack of New modes fight week sucked Career mode Sucked

[@LuanJaguarREAL]

they copy pasted the same mediocre gameplay, reused the clunky animations, even the whole roster and customizations everything are same except for minor tweaks. the thing that they just copy pasted the previous game yet still trying to sell it as a new game is just shame. its more like an update rather than a new game

[@menzokruizinga]

Wow this looks bad i will stay by ufc3 version Because i hated ufc 4 version ea can keep this game

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

I'm not a UFC/MMA guy at all, but I've played UFC 3/4. UFC 3 felt like the better game. I kinda feel bad for UFC fans, but I feel worse for myself being a boxing fan. Undisputed sucks, so I've been forced to play FNC all these years. FNC is still the better game.

[@etangbose4755]

@@Apollyon_Rev911the control changes from 3-4 is ridiculous 3 felt alot better

[@chronichols2551]

Pure EA Trash. Save your money and wait for it to cost 9.99.

[@jasonclark9963]

This game is so terrible. They advertise dr stoppages but in the fights all they do is talk about it but the fights are never stopped. This game is pathetic. This game is a 2.5/10 and that’s being courteous. I wish I could get a refund.

[@vietguy808]

THEY KEEP SAYING KUMITE WRONG,,, SOOO ANNOYING

[@yakivpopavich]

I'm not buying a PS5 just to play this lol, why can't they just put it on PC?.

[@jd9708]

"koo might"? I guess you're too young to be a Van Damme fan, lol!

[@ElMexicanoHernandez]

we need a fight night ps5 this garbage sucks we need a boxing game Next Gen I'm sure everyone agrees boxing has been put on the back burner im a boxing fan !

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

Exactly. Undisputed is not it though. That game absolutely sucks. Need a new Fight Night on PS5.

[@jeanpierre8465]

So disappointing..... The one thing they could have did right in this game was to have our likeness in it..... After 4 years y'all couldn't even do that... Copy paste 😮😢

[@ohplezz]

Graphics look the same as UFC 4…

[@Webbie2689]

The reviewer doesn’t even know how to pronounce “Kumite” 🤦‍♂️ I know it’s a video game but you’ve gotta at least try to get people who are actually interest in MMA and/or combat sports to do these reviews.

[@harundalkilinc1636]

Fight night 3 looks a lot better thennthis trash !!!

[@paulw.9015]

Those graphics don’t look to appealing

[@jonrichmond1098]

These games have been crap since ea ufc 2.

[@JJester]

Ku-Mih-Tay

[@ItsDatCajunStuff]

Kumite = KOO-mi-tay

[@sportstronics]

After 10 fights things become predictable and feel scripted. Hit detection is still off st times and the ground hame is just hitrotios. 5/10

[@michealwilson50]

Everything looks the same 😮

[@TomaszWalusWaluWalo]

This game moves are in slow motion??? 🤮

[@josey.garcia6601]

You definitely don't know how to play this game. 😁😁😁😁

[@edrisjohnson3858]

Saddest review attempt ever.

[@trapez77]

Can’t play as Eddie bravo

[@ceoghost9347]

lol why do yall buy EA games still 🤣🤣🤣

[@functioningbroken3497]

Like everything EA does its broken not realistic and a cash grab

[@mr.kwamid-86_43]

I HAVEN'T PLAYED UFC SINCE 2009 AM I STILL FACKED IF THEY FULLY MOUNT ME LOLOLOLOLOL ;) XD

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

So what do y’all want in sports games ? Y’all keep saying it’s the same it’s the same . When y’all watch sports on tv it’s the fucking same correct ??? You want them to add rainbow road and princess peach to the fuckin game ? What do you want

[@williamnovis3507]

I don’t have a problem with the games having the same mechanics but they should add in mini games for the training so it doesn’t feel like you are doing the same thing over and over again and add cool things like post fight interviews make you feel more immersed in the game.

[@BROOKLYNBORN1994]

@@williamnovis3507 if the old system worked why change it tho ? If it’s something I know and got use to I want it to be the same

[@PokeBeardTCG]

​@williamnovis3507 you just asked for 2 small things

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

I'm not a UFC/MMA guy, but I check these games out bcus I'm a boxing/combat sports fan. I appreciate attention to detail, quality, content, and authenticity. You're obviously some casual fan who lacks attention to detail, and has no appreciate for quality, content, and authenticity.

[@williamnovis3507]

@@PokeBeardTCG Yeah I’m a simple man if you added those two things the game would be a lot more fun. I don’t think they should totally change the game.

[@ssvegita89]

4.9 outa 10

[@jahmereyoung6000]

Looks so stiff

[@johnb.5217]

MMA fan here! I bought the game so you don’t have to! 4/10 for me.

[@jraxgaming5254]

First one here

[@minimudder01]

Second one here

[@asapas8]

EA...what a worthless company

[@Ben10105]

Its awful

[@DLO322]

Nobody likes this game where is Mario bros wonder

[@bobbyhill6193]

Why they look like that

[@streaminsteven3974]

Looks terrible

[@UNDEFEATED7000]

IGN Gives a 9/10