Best Strikers In The Game

EA’s UFC 5 is a mixed martial arts game that utilizes boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Players should learn every aspect of the game to be successful in online and offline career modes. However, the striking is likely the first aspect of the mechanics players will learn and enjoy the most. Furthermore, UFC 5 fans can stick to the Stand and Bang mode and avoid grappling altogether.

There are a lot of excellent fighters in UFC 5 that use boxing and kickboxing above all else, and this list focuses on some of the best in the game. The stats included are an excellent guide to a fighter’s capabilities, but they don’t tell the whole story. Styles can make UFC 5 combatants feel better to play and utilize in UFC 5.

Updated February 6, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: EA’s UFC 5 has undergone several updates, gameplay patches, and fighter modifications since it launched. Several fighters have alternate versions of characters or time as fighters in the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships. These updates often occur around numbered UFC events, allowing players to complete tasks to unlock new fighters. As a result, this list is updated to two fighters in their prime from their time in Pride.

13 Shogun Rua – Pride Version

Dangerous Muay Thai Fighter

UFC Striking Info

Shogun Rua is a legendary Brazillian fighter who is a former UFC Lightheavyweight champion and Pride Grand Prix Middleweight Champion. He has had incredible wars in both organizations against Lyoto Machida, Jon Jones, and Chuck Lidell.

Even though his UFC model has some of the worst stats in the game, his Pride version better represents his skills as a fighter. The Pride version feels much better to play with fast hands and powerful kicks. Moreover, his Muay Thai skills from the clinch are some of the most dangerous in UFC 5.

12 Nick Diaz Pride Version

Excellent Pressure Boxer

Striking Info

Nick Diaz’s regular UFC model doesn’t have great statistics, but his alternate Pride model in the Lightweight division makes him one of the best pressure boxers in the game. In real life, Diaz is known for keeping the pressure on his opponents with multiple combinations and exceptional cardio, allowing him to outwork other fighters.

Diaz’s best perks in UFC 5 give him Laser Focus for fast and accurate punches and Bulldog, allowing him to block more effectively and keep the pressure on his opponents. He’s also a good choice against wrestlers and Jiu-Jitsu artists, thanks to his skills on the ground and ability to survive on his back.

11 Alexa Grasso

An Elite Kickboxer

UFC 5 Striking Info

Alexa Grasso is the first women’s UFC champion after defeating the seemingly invincible Valentina Shevchenko by submission. The fighters fought to a draw in their rematch, making Grasso a match for anyone with her punching speed, headwork, and footwork. Moreover, thanks to the Out the Gates and Fast Hands perks, her character is a superb choice for players looking to finish fights as early as possible in UFC 5.

10 Fedor Emelianenko

Legendary Knockout Artist

UFC 5 Striking Info

The legendary Fedor Emelianenko is a new entry for EA’s UFC 5, but it’s not the first time he’s featured in an MMA game from the studio. Before EA obtained the UFC license, they created EA’s MMA. It was a mixed martial arts game featuring fighters from rival organizations and legendary fighters like Fedor, Randy Couture, and many more. Despite never competing in the UFC, it is excellent to see Fedor back in an MMA game featuring his legendary knockout power and Sambo fighting style.

9 Amanda Nunes

A Powerful Boxer

UFC 5 Striking Info

Amanda Nunes is considered one of the best women’s mixed martial artists to compete in any organization. Before retiring, she was a defending champion in two divisions and knocked out fighters like Ronda Rousey and Cyborg Santos.

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Her character in the game has a long reach, fast hands, and devastating power. Nunes has the Fast Hands and Bulldog perks. This means she hits fast but has excellent defense and is perfect for getting into brawls.

8 Zhang Wieli

A Fast Striker With Elite Kicking And Boxing Skills

UFC 5 Striking Info

Zhang Weili is one of the most dangerous fighters in UFC 5. The two-time strawweight women’s UFC champion became a mixed martial artist after being inspired by Hong Kong action films and watching Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche’s rise to fame in the UFC. Weili has high stats with punching speed and power, backed up by the Fast Hands perk. Her Out the Gates perk also makes her dangerous in the early rounds and capable of putting her opponents away as quickly as possible.

7 Alexander Volkanovski

A Great All-Rounder With Fast Hands And Ko Power

UFC 5 Striking Info

Alexander Volkanovski is the featherweight champion and contender in the lightweight division, having fought for the belt twice. Despite his lack of reach, Volkanovski is one of the fastest fighters in the game, and with his near-perfect footwork, he can close the distance against taller fighters.

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Moreover, he has solid punching power, kicking speed, and accuracy and is great for players who like combos and counterattacks. Thanks to his Greco-Roman wrestling background, he’s also good on the ground and can hold his own in a grappling contest.

6 Sean O’Malley

A Fast, Powerful Counter Striker

UFC 5 Striking Info

Sean O’Malley is in the bantamweight division and one of the most-played online fighters in UFC 4 and UFC 5. He’s a favorite with players online because he has some of the best stand-up skills in the game. He has a long reach and is a challenge to counter because he is so fast. Even novices do well with O’Malley when they repeatedly throw four-hit combinations and the lack of skill required of the player to win. However, he does struggle against wrestlers and submission specialists and is better in the Stand and Bang mode.

5 Conor McGregor (Featherweight)

Dangerous Hand Speed And Power

UFC 5 Striking Info

Like Sean O’Malley, the outspoken Conor McGregor is another favorite online, especially the Stand and Bang mode, thanks to his speed, power, accuracy, and combinations. Moreover, despite not being the tallest fighter in UFC 5, he has a long reach with near-perfect accuracy and punching speed stats.

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McGregor smoothly throws four-hit combinations, and his opponents may struggle with counters unless they have the height and reach advantage of a fighter like Max Holloway. Another trait he shares with O’Malley is his lack of wrestling, making McGregor fodder against fighters with good wrestling and submissions.

4 Max Holloway

An Elite Striker With Excellent Boxing

UFC 5 Striking Info

Former featherweight champion Max Holloway is a regular in the top spot of the division’s rankings. This is thanks to his excellent boxing and kickboxing skills in the Octagon. Holloway doesn’t have power, but his speed, accuracy, and reach make him one of the best fighters in UFC 5. Holloway doesn’t have the striking stats of someone like Conor McGregor in the same division, but he feels better to use in the game. Moreover, his perks like Marathoner and High Altitude enforce his abilities as a cardio machine with excellent recovery between rounds.

3 Stephen Thompson

The Best Kickboxer In The UFC

UFC 5 Striking Info

Stephen Thompson is arguably the best kickboxer in the UFC. His skills as a fighter are represented well within the game. Thompson was undefeated in 59 fights during his kickboxing career and is a regular at the top of the ranking in the welterweight division.

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Thompson utilizes a reach advantage against most fighters and has near-perfect kick speed, footwork, and switch stance. Moreover, Thompson has knockout power and speed and can put combinations together using kicks and punches.

2 Israel Adesanya

A High-Level Kickboxer And Fast Counterstriker

UFC 5 Striking Info

Israel Adesanya will go down in history as one of the greatest middleweight fighters from the UFC. He is known for his speed, accuracy, and counterattacks. This is accurately represented in UFC 5 with his head movement, speed, and power from his feet and hands. He has some of the best striking stats in the game but is better suited to players who prefer focusing on counterattacks and fighting from a distance.

1 Anderson Silva

The Greatest Striker In The UFC

UFC 5 Striking Info

Anderson Silva is one of the greatest fighters in the UFC and dominated the middleweight division in the UFC until he broke his leg when Chris Weidman checked one of his leg kicks. He was never quite the same after his comeback, but he was still dangerous and had excellent fights against Israel Adesanya, Michael Bisping, and Uriah Hall.

During his prime, he defeated MMA icons like Chael Sonnen, Rich Franklin, Vitor Belfort, Forest Griffin, and many more. He is a kickboxer with a similar style to Israel Adesanya. So he’s perfect for players who want to use counterattacks and head movement.

Franchise

EA Sports UFC

Released

October 27, 2023

Developer(s)

Electronic Arts