Released: 27th October 2023. Powered by Frostbite™, EA SPORTS™ UFC® 5 is the next evolution of the fight game. From unrivalled graphics upgrades to all-new damage systems and doctor stoppages that affect gameplay in truly authentic fashion — this is as real as it gets.
REAL IMPACT SYSTEM
What makes an MMA fight? It’s the stakes, technique, drama, and pure reality of the moment. UFC 5 captures that in more authentic detail than ever before, from next-generation graphics upgrades that give gameplay animations new life, damage systems that marry the brutality and strategy of the fight game, gameplay updates that make the action feel even more fluid and realistic, and much more.
Authentic Damage
Cuts, bruising, and swelling accumulate in accurate locations based on the damage you inflict and take in-game, including over 64,000 possible combinations of facial damage a fighter can sustain. All damage is now rendered in more detail than ever before, affecting character attributes in a truly genuine fashion. Causing a cut on an opponent's brow that trickles into their eye will impair their vision and cause them to take more damage on that side, as they don’t see strikes coming. Bust an opponent’s nose to hinder their breathing and slow their stamina recovery. Take too many low calf kicks and your character will start to limp and their mobility declines. Authentic damage adds a whole new layer of strategic possibilities to the fight.
Doctor’s Checks & Stoppages
Authentic damage comes with authentic results. If the player sustains a significant injury — like a broken nose or swollen eye — the ref can now step in, pause the action, and get the ringside doctor to inspect the damage. If the player is unable to shift tactics and protect that injured area from getting hit, just like in the real-life Octagon, the doctor might stop the fight. This gives players more strategic opportunities for players to either thrive or survive.
NEW STRIKES & HIT REACTIONS
It’s a striking evolution. UFC 5 features all-new animations for ground and pound elbows, spinning attacks, and several other punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. Plus, new striking animations emulate heavy hitters, professional kickboxers, and more, giving you all new ways to stand and bang. In addition, new hit reaction animations and physics make sure you feel the impact of a clean connection.
SEAMLESS SUBMISSIONS
The new Seamless Submissions functions as a revamped extension of the existing grappling systems with faster animations and the removal of mini-games. Beginners can use Grapple Assist for help on the canvas, while veterans will have new depths to uncover and enjoy. The new submissions offer a smoother, more authentic ground game that is sure to be a grappler’s delight.
FROSTBITE ENGINE
For the first time in franchise history, the Frostbite™ engine powers EA SPORTS UFC, bringing unrivaled graphics upgrades for console games. From dynamic lighting and overhauled character fidelity to realistic strand hair and cloth animations — Frostbite helps bring the action in the Octagon to life.
CINEMATIC K.O. REPLAY
Showcasing UFC’s significant presentation updates in truly innovative fashion is the all-new Cinematic K.O. Replay. Harnessing the power of Frostbite, players can now rewatch their finishing blows in stunning visual fidelity. Captured in super slow motion with cinematic camera angles and lighting, the impact of fight-ending shots looks more authentic — and beautiful — than ever, as blood flies and flesh bruises, turning your devastating knockout into a work of art.
ADVANCED FIGHTER LIKENESS
Thanks to Frostbite and a significant upgrade to our lighting and rendering features — including dual-lobe skin and eye shading, strand-based hair, updated fighter body types, and industry-leading facial animation technology — the fighters you know and love have never looked more authentic.
VISUAL EFFECTS
It’s all about impact. Improved fidelity means when fighters absorb strikes, the results show on their face and body in an authentic, wince-inducing fashion. Plus, all new fluid physics and particle systems make blood and sweat drip and spray as it does during the heat of the action in the Octagon.
AUTHENTIC FINISHES
From newly added draws in offline and online play to realistic updates to how the ref steps in to save a downed fighter from too much ground-and-pound; the number of ways a fight can end has grown in number and authenticity in UFC 5.
NEW IN-GAME CINEMATICS
Signature walkouts, breathtaking knockouts, and everything in between. Frostbite powers brand-new cinematic moments where attention to detail and fighter fidelity make you feel like you’re in the arena for a sold-out UFC PPV. From the roar of the crowd to Bruce Buffer's iconic introductions, new in-game cinematics bring a whole new level of excitement, authenticity, and immersion to UFC 5.
FIGHT WEEK
UFC 5 is truly an extension of the UFC fan experience, and there’s no better example than the all-new Fight Week challenges, features, and content that connect them with blockbuster UFC cards in a way that’s never been done before.
Fight Week Challenges
In the week leading up to and after all of the biggest UFC events, players will have access to limited-time fight week challenges. These challenges give players the opportunity to unlock rewards inspired by those events, including new Alter Egos, created fighter Vanity Items, player profile customization assets, and fighter emotes.
Fight Picks
Now available before real-world UFC events, players can make predictions for the main card of every PPV. Players are automatically seeded into Fight Picks leaderboard pools after making their picks, with custom friend leaderboards also accessible. Following the event, top-ranking players on the leaderboard will earn UFC Coins.
Fight Week Contracts
Fight Week Contracts give players a daily fight offer where they can take on AI opponents under preset gameplay settings. Players can earn in-game currency by showing up and winning, while the difficulty of the contracts increases over the course of the week. The player’s cumulative wins, losses, and finishes are tracked in the Contracts tab.
PROGRESSION & REWARDS
Alter Egos
From looks to abilities, all-new Alter Egos let you play as your favorite fighters in their authentic career-defining moments (i.e. a fighter’s iconic UFC debut, when they captured the title, and more), along with Alter Egos that can only happen in UFC 5.
Punch Card
Play the game to earn your way through a set of predetermined rewards, including in-game currency, player profile customizations, created fighter Vanity Items, and Alter Egos. In addition, completing Profile Challenges rewards players with XP that levels up their Punch Card’s earning capability.
ONLINE CAREER MODE
Players asked for it; we answered. Online Career includes skill-based matchmaking, division progression, and title chases across four divisions. Players can compete with a different Created Fighter in each division, allowing players to showcase multiple character customizations and Vanity Items.
Online Fighter Evolution
Fighting in Online Career matches earns Evolution Points which can be used to improve your Created Fighter’s attributes, moves, and perks. Once a player reaches the level cap for a fighter, they’ll prestige, which will reset their evolution to the starting point for a new fighter but increase the level cap and unlock access to additional moves and perks.
XP Boosts
XP Boosts increase the rate that players earn Evolution Points while competing in Online Career fights for a limited time. Boosts can be acquired as in-game rewards, giving players more incentive to get into the Octagon.
CAREER MODE
Career Mode has an all-new introduction, bringing back Coach Davis to guide the player through their UFC career with new cinematics, new locations, and a refined focus on onboarding. An upgrade to training camps lets players simulate their training camp and sparring drills to reach peak fitness and get to the fights faster. Plus, sparring sessions will include Challenge Packs, which earn players a grade based on the number of challenges completed.
FIGHT NOW EXPERIENCES
A restructuring of the Fight Now experience offers a whole suite of authentic MMA/UFC match types to the fan-favorite mode, including Main Card, Main Event, Championship, Backyard, and Kumite.
Game Styles
Players can now customize their preferred individual play styles in all game modes. From Simulation game style, that uses real-time rounds and increased damage and stamina drain to emulate an authentic fighting experience, to Knockout that turns off health regeneration and applies unlimited stamina and combinations, or Stand and Bang, which keeps the action strictly on the feet — the choice is yours.