Summary
EA Sports UFC 5is the latest game in the combat series based on the mixed martial arts company of the same name. It’s an evolution ofthe mechanics from its predecessors, featuring a refined striking game, a new submission system, doctor stoppages, and more. The fighting is bloodier than ever, and the punches, kicks, and slams look - and feel - more impactful.
UFC 5is a complex fighting game with several systems and mechanics to learn. It can seem overwhelming at first, but like the sport, everything comes together nicelyonce players learn the fundamentals of the game. That said, there are a few things that players who hope to thrive inUFC 5should know before diving straight in.
Updated on Jul 18, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:UFC 5 is a complex fighting game that lives up to its representation of mixed martial arts. As one would expect with a game that includes boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu, there are a lot of mechanics to acclimate oneself with. As such, this article has been updated to feature even more tips that can help beginners get started in UFC 5.
9Check The Training Manual
A Great Way To Familiarize Oneself With The Basics
Even thoughUFC 5is mechanically similar to its predecessor, several things have changed. Throwing uppercuts andthe clinch mechanics have been swapped, the spinning elbow, back fists, and kicks have been reworked, and so forth. So, even those familiar with the older games may need to familiarize themselves with the new system.
The in-game training manual can beaccessed from the start menuunder’Learn’and in the middle of offline matches. It covers stamina, health, offense, and defense. Many players will probably find themselves referring to the training manual a lot during the early hours of the game, as it offers some incredibly useful tips on how the game’s different mechanics work.
8Use The Practice Mode
The Most Important Aspect Of Learning How To Put Combinations Together
Pro players ofUFC 5and its predecessors often advise new and seasoned players to get in the gym and practice. It is an invaluable tool for those looking to learn the systems. Players can program their opponents using the strike recording feature to perform combinations and make the AI attack with its own free will. This makes for a great way to learnhow to defend against takedownsand counter troublesome combinations.
When players are ready to fight online, they will find opponents with combinations that land every time and finish them early. In these scenarios, players should record their fights on the Xbox or PS5, learn the attack patterns, and then emulate them in practice mode usingstrike recordingto learn how to counter and avoid these attacks in the future.
7Conserving Stamina Is The Key To Victory
Avoid Punching Yourself Out
Using the practice mode with health and stamina switched on is an excellent way to learn how to conserve stamina and measure the damage dealt to an opponent by specific attacks. Players must learn to pick their shots carefully, avoid throwing wild punches and kicks, and not waste heavy attacks if they are only going to miss the opponent.
Missing attacks and having low strike accuracy will impact the player’s stamina. However, punches and kicks that land on an opponent’s guard drain less than whiffing the attack. Again, it’s important to utilize practice mode to learn how to conserve energy, because having no gas in the tank will lead to more losses than getting knocked out. Moreover, if a fighter gets overzealous looking for a knockout finish, this can drain their stamina and result in them getting knocked out with a counter.
6Don’t Rush In
Be Patient And Study Their Style
Rushing into a fight to knock out an opponent often backfires. Instead, one should take the time to assess their opponents andlook for weaknesses and openings in their game. Players should try and be as technical as possible, testing their defenses, using feints, and teasing the takedown. If the opposition is trying to rush in, it’s best to defend and counter with shots to the body in order to damage their stamina.
Players should use push-kicks and lunges to keep their opponents at a distance and create space for themselves. Their opponent will likely be fatigued by the second or third round, so it’s important to stay patient and methodically pick them apart.
5Defend The Body
Body Damage Depletes Stamina
Maintaining stamina is one of the biggest keys to victory inUFC 5.Unfortunately, taking kicks and punches to the body will destroy a fighter’s stamina, allowing the opponent to secure an easy win. Many online players use this tactic by attacking the body with multiple hooks when they get their opponents stunned.
To block body shots, players should press L2 and R2 simultaneously on PlayStation or LT and RT on Xbox. It’s important to practice landing a well-timed uppercut if one’s opponent focuses on body attacks, as this can lead to a knockdown or even a knockout.
4Keep An Eye On The Damage Icons
Damage Significantly Affects A Fighter’s Performance
A new feature forUFC 5isthe injuries fighters can sustain in a match. The combatants can sometimes get cuts and broken noses. They can also sustain injuries to the arms and legs from submissions, even after escaping. Injuries impact a character’s breathing from mouth and nose damage, vision is affected by cuts and swelling around the eye, and significant damage can be dealt to the legs, heart, and arms from submissions and chokes.
If a fighter avoids damage to the injured area for 30 seconds, the damage level will be reducedor disappear. However, players must be mindful and check the briefcase symbol with the cross often. This is adoctor stoppage icon. The more red it becomes, the more likely a doctor will stop the fight to investigate.
3Mix Up The Striking
Use Every Tool Available To Win
It’s easy to get carried away and only throw strikes to the head and the occasional kick inUFC 5. Still, players should attempt to mix up their striking by throwing punches and kicks to the head and the body. The one-two, followed by a strike to the body, is a reliable combination to keep opponents guessing. As usual, strikes and timing should be practiced in the gym before trying an online fight or a match in career mode.
Players should start with basic combinationslike a straight jab to the head and a straight right to the body in sequence. Alternatively, a one-two, followed by a leg kick, is another way to get to grips with the animations and flow of attacks. Eventually, players will learn how to implement longer and more effective Adesanya-style combos into their playstyle.
2Don’t Get Predictable
Avoid Throwing The Same Combos And Attacks Out
In addition to mixing up the strikes, players shouldn’t get comfortable with repeatedly throwing the same combinations. Just because the opponent has walked into the same one-two hook combo several times doesn’t mean that they may get wise, counter the attack, and end the fight in one shot. Players should try to change their patterns, throw feints, and make the opponent react and get out of their comfort zone.
If one approach isn’t working, then it’s time to change the game plan. For example, players may find opponents who like to wait and counter by sniping from a distance. If players findtheir UFC 5 fighters getting caught using this method, they should try something else. Using head movement can make the opponent come forward, and switching stances from orthodox to southpaw can throw them off their game plan and force them to rethink their strategy. Essentially,UFC 5players should aim to be as unpredictable as possible without becoming reckless.
1Practice Transitions And Submissions On The Ground
The Best Fighters Can Hold Their Own On The Mat
UFC 5features a new submissions system, abandoning the annoying mini-games from its predecessors and focusing on draining an opponent’s submission resistance meter. This is achieved by successfully locking in a submission after draining one’s stamina. Players can deny and counter with reversals to gain the dominant position.
UFC 5players can use the practice mode to gain an understanding of the ground game. Moreover,offline matches provide an arrow prompt to help deny transitions and submission attempts. With time, players will learn their tells and movements without the need for arrow prompts, making thema force to be reckoned with when playing online.
