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9th February 2018
01:57pm GMT
UFC 3 gives MMA fans the chance to step into the Octagon themselves and live out dream matches on-screen. Obviously, there’s the temptation to just pick Conor McGregor or Daniel Cormier, and get stuck in. But the game also boasts an incredibly in-depth career mode, which recreates the full experience of being an MMA star. From developing different training styles in the gym, to having verbal spats online and at press conferences, it’s the closest most of us will get to living that UFC life. Here’s a taste of how we got on. You start out by creating your own fighter. First thing is to pick your style – do you want to be a brawler, a submissions specialist, or an all-rounder? I decided to be a Lightweight striker, because I don’t want to be one of those guys who are incredibly technically proficient, but bore the crowd. More importantly, I also gave myself a big Dan Severn-moustache, a giant tiger tattoo on my chest, and Killer Mike ft. Big Boi as walk-on music.Brought to you by EA SPORTS UFC 3
Now my ripped-and-completely-life-accurate avatar was ready to step into the Octagon. But before I could sign for UFC, I had to prove myself in the minor leagues. You begin career mode fighting in the World Fighting Alliance – a defunct, real world promotion that’s been used as a training ground in several previous UFC games. As a no-name fighter, I started out fighting various bums. I lost my first fight – there goes my undefeated record – but won my sophomore effort via stoppage in the second round.
It’s between matches, though, where some of the most interesting parts are. It simulates a whole personalised training camp leading up to a fight. There are eight different gyms, each with its own fighting discipline speciality and real life UFC sparring partners to choose from – though as I was starting out and had no cash, I just had to train in my basement.
It’s also here where the social media and promotion aspects come into play. I was still an absolute nobody in the fight game, but anyone can set up a social media account. Hyping up your fight in online posts wins you new fans, which in turn boosts your potential purses. It’s also whilst on the social media section that I got a DM informing me that Dana White is going to be scouting for talent at my next fight.
Obviously that means hitting the gym to make sure I was in peak condition. I also upgraded to a proper gym, and out of my basement. Sparring against similar opponents gives you ‘keys to victory’ – and I was informed that Mattijs de Wit, the 15-fight journeyman I was up against, had a hell of a chin, and wasn’t likely to be knocked down. So I set my training regime to focus on my takedowns, since I’m a striker and my stats in that department were somewhat lacking.
Before the fight, a video package informs me Dana White is indeed in attendance. I also got a tweet from my parents wishing me good luck. It was a hard fought battle, but after a lot of time on the mat I finally struck a decisive blow late in the third. It was enough to impress Dana, and I’m offered a five-fight UFC contract.
Now that I was in the big leagues, more options opened up to me. As well as boasting on social media, I set up a video game streaming channel – another way to connect with my virtual fans. All of which increased the hype for my UFC debut. I wasn't a superstar yet, but I was building.
It was at this point that Mattijs de Wit called me out online, despite my decisive victory over him. I took a leaf out of Conor McGregor's book and started talking trash to him - I replied saying he’s just jealous that Dana White signed me instead of him. Let's be honest, social media spats are as much a part of the modern MMA game as takedowns, and it was a lot of fun getting to do it in the game.
My first UFC bout was on the undercard of a Fight Night. A UFC Minute package, presented by Megan Olivi herself, heralded my arrival. She also asked me on social how I felt (My reply: “#humbled”). Since I was so early on the card, the arena was mostly empty – but I did have Bruce Buffer announcing. My first UFC fight went a lot better than my final WFA bout, and a roundhouse kick to my opponent's head finished thing after about 45 seconds.
It was a great start to my career – I was 1-0 in the UFC, I had a hot rivalry brewing, and growing number of fans online. But I'd only just starting to scratch the surface of UFC 3. Later in the game, you get to take part in heated press conferences - I'm looking forward to Dana White having to pull me away from an opponent.
There’s still a lot for me to do in career mode - a ton of unique moves and perks to unlock, title shots to earn, and belts to him. I’ve still got a long way to go if I'm going to become the G.O.A.T.
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