8.5 /10 9

EA SPORTS UFC 4 stands as the premier mixed martial arts fighting simulator available on modern consoles, delivering the franchise’s most accomplished entry to date. This 2020 release refined combat systems that frustrated players in UFC 3, introducing simplified grappling mechanics and responsive striking that appeal to both casual fighters and competitive veterans. The game earned widespread critical acclaim with an 82 Metacritic score, with reviewers praising its career progression, character customization depth, and significantly improved online infrastructure. What you will learn from this review covers the full spectrum of what makes UFC 4 essential for MMA enthusiasts: how career mode shapes your rise from amateur to superstar, why the control overhaul matters for accessibility, and whether the cosmetic microtransactions justify the investment.

How to Play EA SPORTS UFC 4

The core experience centers on shaping your fighter through career progression, engaging in multiple fight types, and mastering the revamped control scheme. EA simplified the learning curve significantly compared to previous entries by removing analog stick submissions and replacing them with intuitive button combinations.

1. Controls – Hold buttons for powerful strikes, tap for quick jabs. Clinch mechanics now use dedicated buttons instead of sticks, dramatically reducing finger fatigue and execution errors during intense fights.
2. Progression – Start as an amateur in the new career mode, fight through the World Fighting Alliance minor league, then ascend to UFC main roster. Each victory earns attribute points for customization and unlocks new moves and training opportunities.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Stand-up gameplay emphasizes clinch-to-strike combinations and positional awareness. Ground fighting features overhauled takedown systems and submission chains that respond contextually to your position and opponent’s defense state.
4. Tips – Learn submission timing in career mode before jumping online. Train consistently to unlock new techniques. Experiment with different weight classes and fighting styles to find your optimal playstyle before entering competitive matches.

Who Should Play EA SPORTS UFC 4

This game appeals to hardcore MMA fans seeking authentic fight simulation, casual sports gamers wanting engaging progression systems, and competitive players pursuing online championships. The simplified controls make it accessible to fighting game newcomers.

• MMA Enthusiasts – The 600+ fighter roster, authentic techniques, and realistic fight physics directly simulate real UFC competition with impressive attention to martial arts detail.
• Career Mode Fans – The revamped progression system with custom fighter creation, injury mechanics, fight week simulation, and multiple venues creates compelling long-term engagement.
• Online Competitors – Multiple ranked modes including World Championships and Blitz Battles provide competitive ladders for serious players seeking matchmaking and leaderboards.
• Skip if – You require PC gaming support (console exclusive), prefer arcade-style fighting games over simulation, or dislike cosmetic microtransactions in sports titles.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 Platform Performance

EA SPORTS UFC 4 delivers solid visual consistency across supported consoles with performance targets optimized per platform. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One maintain 60fps during fights with dynamic resolution scaling. Backward compatible versions on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S feature enhanced frame rates and reduced loading times.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 System Requirements

EA SPORTS UFC 4 remains console exclusive and has not released on PC despite community petitions and developer exploration. No system requirements exist for personal computers. The game requires PS4 or Xbox One hardware minimum for playable experience.

Similar Games to EA SPORTS UFC 4

Fighting game enthusiasts seeking similar competitive experiences will find comparable titles across multiple platforms. While few games match UFC 4’s MMA specificity, several titles offer equivalent depth in character progression, competitive ranking systems, and customization mechanics.

• Tekken 8 – Console fighting game with deep character customization, robust online infrastructure, and arcade-to-professional progression matching UFC 4’s competitive depth.
• Street Fighter 6 – Modern fighting game emphasizing accessibility for newcomers alongside advanced mechanics, featuring extensive character customization and mentorship progression.
• Mortal Kombat 1 – Cinematic fighter with story-driven campaign similar to UFC 4’s career mode, featuring extensive cosmetic customization and ranked online competition.
• WWE 2K24 – Sports combat title with comparable career progression, character creation system, and online multiplayer matching UFC 4’s structure.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 vs Competitors

UFC 4 maintains dominance in the MMA fighting game space as the only modern title focused specifically on mixed martial arts simulation. No direct competitors exist in the MMA game market. Comparison with general fighting games highlights UFC 4’s simulation focus versus arcade accessibility.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 Story and World

The narrative framework centers on your fighter’s personal journey from unknown amateur competitor to UFC superstar. The career mode begins with amateur bouts introducing different martial arts disciplines including wrestling, striking, and grappling. This progression mirrors real MMA athlete development paths, where fighters hone specific skills before entering elite professional competition. The two new fight venues, The Kumite and The Backyard, provide thematic contrasts between traditional martial arts settings and street fighting environments, expanding beyond the standard octagon. Character creation enables fully customized backstories and fighting personas, though story beats remain largely mechanical. The World Fighting Alliance minor league serves as a narrative bridge between amateur and UFC competitiveness. Overall tone emphasizes competitive drama and personal achievement over cinematic storytelling, placing you at the center of every narrative moment.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 Multiplayer and Online

Online functionality forms the core competitive experience with multiple ranked modes and social systems. Cross-generational play enables PS4/PS5 and Xbox One/Series X|S matchmaking within their respective platforms.

• Online World Championships – Ranked ladder system with division tiers from amateur through elite, featuring accurate opponent skill matching and seasonal leaderboards for global competition.
• Blitz Battles – Rapid-fire competitive format with shorter fight windows, special modifiers, and alternative rulesets providing variety beyond standard championship modes.
• Ranked Matches – Traditional ranked queue with division-based placement and promotion/demotion mechanics tied to ranked points earned from victories.
• Cross-Play – Not supported between PlayStation and Xbox platforms; online play restricted to same-family console matchmaking for infrastructure stability.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content focuses primarily on fighter roster additions and cosmetic customization rather than gameplay expansions. DLC maintains free-to-play accessibility for core content while monetizing cosmetics.

• Boxing Legends Pack – Adds Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Bruce Lee across all weight classes with unique striking animations reflecting their real-world techniques and fighting styles.
• Kumite Arena Starter Bundle – Cosmetic gear collection inspired by traditional martial arts backyard brawlers with exclusive outfit skins for fighter customization.
• Seasonal Content – New fighters added quarterly to match real UFC roster updates, ensuring game maintains contemporaneous fighter selection and relevance to current MMA landscape.
• Cosmetic Items – Clothing, tattoos, entrance animations, and arena cosmetics purchased via premium currency; all purchasable through in-game earned currency alternatively.

EA SPORTS UFC 4 Community and Support

Community infrastructure centers on official EA Sports channels and grassroots player communities. Developer support includes seasonal balance patches and feature updates maintaining active player engagement.

• Official Forums – EA Sports maintains dedicated UFC 4 forums with developer posts addressing bugs, balance changes, and community feedback on gameplay mechanics and online stability.
• Reddit Communities – r/EASportsUFC serves as primary player hub with discussion threads, gameplay tips, build guides, and competitive tournament organization managed by player moderators.
• Mod Support – Limited to cosmetic mods on PC emulators only; official modding not supported on console versions maintaining competitive integrity and cheat prevention.
• Update Frequency – Quarterly balance patches addressing fighter stats, online connectivity, and gameplay mechanics; roadmap transparency through developer blog posts and community Q&A sessions.