Two of the most popular fighters and talented strikers in mixed martial arts were named the cover athletes for the newest UFC video game.
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and fan favourite Jorge Masvidal will grace the cover of EA SPORTS UFC 4.
UFC president Dana White described the game, which is available for the PlayStation4 and Xbox One starting Aug. 14, as “the best fighting game ever made.”
The UFC and EA SPORTS made the announcement Saturday and released the official game trailer.
“I am the face of the new wave of UFC fighters, so it feels right to represent the sport on this new generation UFC game,” Adesanya said via a press release. “I look forward to my fans playing as me as much as I have enjoyed playing as myself.”
Masvidal famously got his start in fighting whilst brawling in backyards with the late Kimbo Slice and this game allows fans to play in backyard and kumite settings.
“MMA is more than about the belt,” Masvidal said. “It’s about who you are as a person and the determination that drives a fighter to go from unknown to selling out arenas all over the world. I grew up backyard fighting so it’s exciting for me to see that style of fighting come to UFC 4 where players can bring out their Gamebred mentality.”
Fans can also play as special characters such as heavyweight boxing champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, plus martial arts movie icon Bruce Lee.
“UFC 4 is the most authentic MMA game ever,” EA SPORTS UFC creative director Brian Hayes added. “We’ve created a visceral fighting experience that allows players to create their own UFC legacy with Create a Fighter, explore the origins of MMA through our new fighting grounds and be in full control of every strike and takedown with our overhauled core gameplay mechanics.”
