The Triangle Choke: EA Sports: MMA

The biggest player in the sports video game market recently hit the MMA scene with EA Sports MMA. The cover of the game features two of the all-time greats in Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture. It came as no surprise that EA Sports landed Fedor- landing Randy Couture from the UFC however was a tremendous coup. It’s a shame Fedor and Randy didn’t meet up in the cage instead of the cover, but that is another story for another day.

While MMA video games have been around for some time- the only current and legitimate competitor is THQ’s UFC Undisputed. The UFC’s 2010 version was released much earlier than the EA Sports version- leaving MMA fans asking why they should invest in another game. The answer(s) is somewhat simple- the game play and cast of characters are completely different. This review has no intention of comparing UFC Undisputed and EA Sports MMA- instead it will focus on the reasons why true MMA fans will have a blast playing EA Sports MMA.

Bas Rutten in EA Sports: MMA

EA Sports features a plethora of talent including the likes of Alistair Overeem, Bas Rutten, Couture, Cung Le, Dan Henderson, Eddie Alvarez, Fedor, Jake Shields and Nick Diaz to name a few. The game allows players to compete as anyone on the roster or create your own fighter. The create a fighter portion of the game is outstanding. After creating a fighter you get to train with the great Bas Rutten. Although Bas can be a tad bit irritating (more on that later), the features give the player a feel for what a fighter goes through in training. After a few fights your fighter banks some cash which allows him to train in other prestigious gyms such as Miletich Fighting Systems, Rickson Gracie and of course Xtreme Couture. The player also can train overseas to work on their Muay Thai in Thailand!

The game play is best described as reasonable and easy to understand. The movements relay to the buttons and sticks (Xbox 360) and fluent except for some skating like movements. While victories are hard to come by the feel of the game and strategy are very life like. The fighter must set up takedowns and work body parts and movements to improve positions. As you win, the competition grows and your fighter joins other MMA promotions looking to make it to the big time with Strikeforce. Some other features include various ring announcers such as Lenne Hardt (AKA the screaming Pride Fighting lady), Big John McCarthy as the referee and cage side announcers Mauro Ranallo and Frank Shamrock.

I highly recommend this game for all MMA enthusiasts! Packing the experience and technology of EA Sports with MMA created a perfect match. Hopefully, they will be back next year!

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Now back to my earlier comments about the mean and nasty Bas Rutten. Bas is known worldwide for not only his cage fighting prowess as a fighter and a trainer, but also for his street fighting DVDs as well. The former UFC Champion is one bad dude. I’ve always been a fan of Bas and even more so now with his work on Inside MMA. However, “El Guapo” was quickly getting on my nerves during the video game training sessions with his scolding. I decided to tell Bas I thought he was a little harsh and wondered if he treated fighters in that manner during actual training. Bas responded with “That is probably because you sucked! So don’t blame me my friend, just train harder.” Despite the criticism Bas was willing to answer a few questions about EA Sports: MMA:

SD- What was the experience like doing the voice over and what type of input did you have

BR- It was great, the first day I came to do all the Bas Rutten stuff, but then after two hours they decided they wanted me to be the host of the game. They told me that I would even have my own gym in it? Awesome, so I had to come back for like 4 or 5 more days, it was a LOT of work. I did every line like 4 different ways, they allowed me to do whatever I wanted, they trusted my judgment (Although I am pretty sure they would have said something if I mess up)

SD- To be quite honest Bas, you really got on my nerves screaming at my character in training. Do your students sometimes voice those types of frustrations

BR- My students never voice this to me, I am a very calm trainer, but if I need to scream, I will of course do it. So maybe you got unlucky in the game and they used the screaming lines that I did, specially for you only!

There is Bas’ take.

To quote Bas, “God speed and party on.”

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief