The 7 best fighting games for MMA fans

As an MMA fan, I know that the adrenaline of fights doesn’t have to be restricted to broadcasts. There are incredible games that capture the essence of fighting and put you in control. Here I present the seven best fighting games that will satisfy your passion for combat sports even when there are no live events.

UFC 5

Platforms:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Release year: 2023

EA Sports UFC 5 is the closest virtual experience to a real MMA fight. The game features a realistic damage system, impressive graphics and a complete roster with fighters from the organization. Every blow has weight, every finish requires technique, and the ground fighting mechanics have been improved to faithfully represent the sport.

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Sifu

Platforms:PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release year:2022

Sifu is a masterpiece that mixes Chinese martial arts with a revenge narrative. The difference lies in the aging system: every time you die, your character is resurrected older and wiser, altering their abilities. The gameplay focuses on intense combats that require perfect timing and knowledge of the techniques.

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Mortal Kombat 1

Platforms:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release year:2023

Mortal Kombat 1 reboots the classic fighting franchise with a reimagined universe. Maintaining its famous brutal finishes, the game brings an improved combat system that mixes quick blows with elaborate combos. The “Kameo Fighters” mechanic allows you to summon a secondary fighter during battles, adding strategic depth.

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Yakuza Kiwami

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release year:2016 (remake of the 2005 original)

Yakuza Kiwami transports you to the underworld of Japanese crime as Kazuma Kiryu. The combat system “Dragon Engine” offers three different fighting styles that can be switched between in real time. Between investigations and missions, the street fighting is intense and satisfying, with moves inspired by real martial arts.

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Sleeping Dogs

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Release year:2012 (Definitive Edition in 2014)

Sleeping Dogs puts you in the shoes of Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating Hong Kong’s triads. Hand-to-hand combat is the highlight, inspired by kung fu movies and incorporating elements of parkour. The blows are brutal, with environmental interactions that allow you to use the scenery to your advantage during fights.

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Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Platforms:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release year:2025

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marks the triumphant return of SNK’s classic series. The new “REV” system revolutionizes the genre with innovative counter-attack mechanics and a fast pace of play. MMA fans will appreciate the technical precision of the moves and the importance of positioning in fights.

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Judgment

Platforms:PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release year: 2018 (Remastered in 2021)

Judgment puts you in the role of private detective Takayuki Yagami in an investigative thriller set in the neighborhoods of Kamurocho. The combat system offers two distinct styles: Tiger, focused on powerful blows against a single opponent, and Crane, ideal for situations against multiple opponents. The fight sequences are cinematic and technically impressive.

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What these games offer to MMA fans

These games bring elements that every MMA lover values: strategy, technique, timing and the adrenaline of the fights. While EA Sports UFC 5 offers the most authentic simulation of the sport, the other titles expand the horizon with different fighting styles and captivating narratives.

The experience of mastering the controls and executing complex moves in these games brings a satisfaction similar to that of following your favorite fighter applying perfect technique in the octagon.

If you’re an MMA fan looking to expand your passion for the sport into the world of games, these seven titles are essential starting points that combine fun with the technique and strategy you admire so much in real fights.