EA SportsUFC 4has recently joined the likes ofFIFA 21,NHL 21,andMadden 21on Game Pass after it was added to EA Play. The game was initially released in August 2020 and is the latest MMA offering from EA, coming over two years afterUFC 3.
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The core gameplay ofUFC 4is similar to its predecessor, though some mechanics have been overhauled to make the experience more accessible for new players, especially the ground game. Still, plenty of people downloading the fighting game from EA Play will be new to the series and possibly even the sport of MMA too. TheseUFC 4 tipsare for such people.
16Practice In The Training Area
The best way to learn the mechanics inUFC 4is to practice them in the training room. Players can adjust their opponent’s AI to perform moves, punches, and combos. For example, many opponents online will spam overhand rights, so players can program the AI to use the same attack.
Now, the player can learn how to avoid, block, and counter it until the overhand is no longer an issue. Practicing moves in the gym until they become second nature is the best way to improve inUFC 4.
15Move Away From The Power
Most flash KOs happen inUFC 4because players carelessly move in the direction of their opponent’s attacks. For example, sidestepping or weaving to the right as the opponent throws a left increases the damage they’ll score.
So if they are always throwing a left kick to the body, try and move the player fighter to their left to negate or avoid the attack altogether. Landing a quick punch during this small window will hit them with a counterattack, which causes more damage and, in some cases, lands a flash KO.
14Learn How To Protect The Body
Some of the most successful players online use body shots to win fights. They are smart enough to work towards the long game, and it creates openings for the head. However, body attacks inUFC 4are arguably overpowered.
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They destroy stamina and can end a fight with a technical knockout. Using the gym room, program the AI to land a one-two to the head and hook combo - one of the most common attacks - and learn how to protect against it and counterattack. The spinning back kicks to the body from long-range fighters like Jon Jones can be problematic too. So, learn how to sidestep them and take advantage of the opening.
13Always Keep An Eye On Stamina
Many first-time players will boot upUFC 4, learn what the buttons for head kicks and punches are, then spam them over and over in hopes of securing a cinematic knockout. Like mostfighting games, this strategy will often result in a swift defeat.
In the case ofUFC 4, the main reason this is such an issue is because of stamina. As in real-life MMA, fighters need to conserve energy in case the match goes into the later rounds, or else they will be sitting ducks for their opponent to finish off.
12Don’t Spam/Miss The Big Moves
With stamina in mind, one should consider using the big moves as sparingly as possible. When playing online, players will always encounter opponents that spam the overhand haymakers and the flashy head kicks.
However, these moves are only effective if they land. If they miss, the game willpenalize the player’s staminabar. In addition, spamming them will make the player too predictable, so use them effectively.Hitting nothing but airwill drain the stamina bar far more quickly than if an attack lands on a blocking opponent. Timing these moves is the key to success.
11Don’t Overuse Dodging
Following the previous entry, new players will constantly wiggle the right stick to dodge punches like Muhammed Ali in his prime. Unlike some fighting games, dodging drains the player’s stamina at a deceivingly high pace inUFC 4, sospamming it is a big mistake.
That’s not to say that dodging shouldn’t be used at all. It does, of course, have its purpose. However, it should be used sparingly to avoid being gassed in the early rounds.
10Learn How And When To Counter
As stated above, the dodge mechanic can be a double-edged sword. So using it at the right time is paramount to landing a successful counterattack which can often lead to a flash knockout.
Players will encounter opponents that throw four-hit combos designed to break the guard. This is achieved by spamming the Square and Triangle buttons for quick combos. It’s frustrating, but the best way to counter this is topractice slipping the straight punchever so slightly to the side and countering with a hook. The same strategy will work for the hook spammers out there too. To set up a counterpunch, a quickpull-back on the R stickwill cause the opponent to miss and leave them wide open for a devastating counterattack.
9Master The Submission Mechanic
As mentioned, most new players spend theirfirst few hoursin the game trying to nail picture-perfect knockouts, so submissions are largely ignored. Although they may not be as flashy as knockouts, submissions are the wayapproximately 25% of fights in the UFC are finished, so it’s vital to learn the mechanic.
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Thankfully, the game offers in-depth tutorials for submissions. So players can be up to speed before they have their first fight.
8Keep Your Hands Up
Anyone coached to fight will have heard the phrase “keep your hands up.” The reason fighters keep their hands up isn’t too tricky to comprehend – it defends the fighter’s head while also keeping their hands at a good height to land head punches of their own.
Players should adopt this simple strategy inUFC 4, ensuring their hands are up as often as possible. Of course, players also have to contend with body blows, but holding their hands up should always be the default stance. The block won’t protect the player’s fighter forever, as the arms get damaged, meaning thatblocking will become less effectiveas the fight wears on.
7Clinch When In Trouble
In any professional fight, whether boxing, kickboxing, or MMA, fighters will likely clinch on multiple occasions. Floyd Mayweather is well known for his clinching, as the defense-first boxer will frequently hold onto his opponents if they start getting the upper hand.
When on the receiving end of some hard strikes, clinching or even shooting a takedown is a great way to stop the opponent’s momentum. Remember, unlike boxing, MMA fighters can elbow, knee, and take down their opponent in a clinch, so be sure not to get complacent.
