EA Sports UFC 4 has recently joined the likes of FIFA 21, NHL 21, and Madden 21 on 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 after UFC 3.
The core gameplay of UFC 4 is 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. These UFC 4 tips are for such people.
Updated February 9, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: While console players have to wait a little longer for the latest entry in the combat sports genre to arrive with the boxing title Undisputed, UFC 4 is another solid choice for fans. It's available for PlayStation Plus Premium and Xbox Game Pass subscribers. However, it's a complex game with many mechanics to learn. This list is updated with more tips to become a better fighter in UFC 4.
16 Practice In The Training Area
The best way to learn the mechanics in UFC 4 is 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 in UFC 4.
15 Move Away From The Power
Most flash KOs happen in UFC 4 because 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.
14 Learn 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 in UFC 4 are arguably overpowered.
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.
13 Always Keep An Eye On Stamina
Many first-time players will boot up UFC 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 most fighting games, this strategy will often result in a swift defeat.
In the case of UFC 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.
12 Don'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 will penalize the player's stamina bar. In addition, spamming them will make the player too predictable, so use them effectively. Hitting nothing but air will drain the stamina bar far more quickly than if an attack lands on a blocking opponent. Timing these moves is the key to success.
11 Don'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 in UFC 4, so spamming 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.
10 Learn 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 to practice slipping the straight punch ever 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 quick pull-back on the R stick will cause the opponent to miss and leave them wide open for a devastating counterattack.
- Slipping the straight punch – gently press up or down on the R stick at the right time.
- Slipping the hook – quickly pull back on the R Stick at the right time and immediately follow with a punch.
9 Master The Submission Mechanic
As mentioned, most new players spend their first few hours in 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 way approximately 25% of fights in the UFC are finished, so it's vital to learn the mechanic.
Thankfully, the game offers in-depth tutorials for submissions. So players can be up to speed before they have their first fight.
8 Keep 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 in UFC 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 that blocking will become less effective as the fight wears on.
7 Clinch 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.
6 Set Up Significant Strikes With Jabs
UFC 4lets players pull off some extraordinary moves to replicate some of the greatest knockouts in MMA history. Spinning back fists, superman punches, and jumping roundhouse kicks are all implemented into the game, though players should think carefully before throwing them.
Not only does throwing audacious knockout attempts drain stamina, but it also makes the player predictable and easy to pick apart. Instead, it's best to set up significant strikes with a few jabs, as it will create a better opening while also gaining some footing on the scorecard.
5 Focus On Combos
Following on from the previous point, it's handy to memorize a handful of reliable combos which play to the chosen fighter's strengths and have been worked on in the game's practice mode. These combos don't need to be too in-depth, to begin with, just a few one-two combinations that intend to create an opening and catch the opponent by surprise.
Once new players are comfortable with a few one-two hits, they can try more complex combinations. UFC 4 is designed to reward those who use combos, so players should implement them into their fights as soon as possible.
4 Find A Style That Works For You
As the name mixed martial arts suggests, the sport features fighters with styles that range from Muay Thai to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
Consequently, when selecting a fighter, players should pick someone compatible with their game plan. For example, if players are going for a quick knockout, they should go with a hard-hitting kickboxer. On the other hand, those planning to finish with a submission will need someone well-versed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
3 Don't Ignore Body Shots and Leg Kicks
Flash knockouts usually occur when someone is struck on the head. So many new players believe that swinging for that area with every strike is a logical move. However, this can create numerous issues.
For starters, constantly swinging for the head will make the player extremely easy to predict, allowing the opponent to block, dodge, and counter. Furthermore, body and leg kicks can wear the opponent down, making them overprotect and leave openings or even forcing them to give up if they take too much punishment for a specific body part.
2 Create Distance When Needed
In UFC 4, some fighters are well suited for coming forward and keeping the pressure on with strikes and in-fighting. The best way to deal with these opponents is to try and create as much distance as possible.
Spinning back kicks and sidekicks to the body is a great way to push an opponent back and drain their stamina. The UFC also has a push-away feature that is effective for getting some distance. Fighters with a long reach should also utilize the lunge away mechanic, which is for backing away from an opponent and landing a counter.
- Lunging – L1(LB) and the R Stick to move away or slip to the side.
- Push Away – Press R2 and Square (X) or Triangle (Y) if fighting southpaw.
1 When An Opponent Is Rocked, Go All Out For The Finish
As new players improve at UFC 4, they will start landing flush blows that will rock their opponent. It's easy to know when this has happened as there will be numerous audio and visual indicators, such as the stamina and corresponding health bar flashing.
When an opponent is rocked, throwing the game plan out of the window and starting to swing for the fences suddenly becomes a solid idea. Granted, there's always the chance that the opponent can land a successful counterattacking blow, though their chances are slim, and the opportunity to finish the opponent shouldn't be squandered. However, be aware a more experienced player can easily turn the tide of combat very quickly. Additionally, one should keep an eye on their stamina because going wild and not getting a successful KO will drain the player's stamina.
EA Sports UFC 4 is available now on PS4 and Xbox One.