Controls
UFC 2009 Undisputed is available for the Xbox 360 and the PS3 and is available in stores now. When you pop the game out of its box, the first thing you see is that the instruction book is very thick. This isn't the sort of game you can expect to do well in without being well versed in how the moves work. The number of moves and controls available in the game is simply staggering.

There are pages of instructions for ground moves, clinch moves, standing punches and kicks and more. The moves involve multiple inputs pushing sticks this way, that way, holding this button and simply kicking ass. If I had to sum up the controls in the game in one word, it would be complex.

Typically, a very complex control system would be a detriment to a game in my book, but with a fighting game, a simple control system often means simple fights as well. The fighters in UFC 2009 Undisputed move almost as fluidly and realistically as watching a real UFC bout. An adept player can string together combinations that leave their opponent on the floor twitching and wonder what happened. That said, there is certainly a steep learning curve between adept and undercard fodder.

If ever there was a game crying for a strategy guide, UFC 2009 Undisputed is it. As complex as the game is, it is hands down one the best fighting game I have ever played and the only fighting game that has been able to keep my attention past a few hours of play.

I do have a few issues with the game, for instance, submission are nearly impossible to accomplish. In real world UFC bouts submissions are hard to come by as well, so maybe that is part of the realism. In the gobs of bouts I have fought in the game, I have only been able to get a submission a few times.

I will also say this about the game -- it is a controller killer. I have already worn my right analog stick on my PS3 controller out from twirling it in circles trying to get a takedown or prevent one. I pressed so hard in the heat of battle on the R3 button trying to start a submission that the stick no longer pops back up. This is the hazard of the UFC on the PS3.

Graphics & Gameplay
Graphically the game is superb, the fighters are realistic, as bouts progress they get sweatier, and cuts and bruises show up from the beatings dished out. The refs in the game are the same refs in the UFC and the infamous octagon is well rendered and realistic. Even the ring girls and their massive … round cards are in the game.

The bouts are commentated by Joe Rogan and his cohort and some of Rogan's more colorful descriptions are included. If you get nailed and the world goes grey, you may even hear Rogan exclaim, "He looks like he is on queer street to me."

The career mode is very full featured and you can build your fighter from scratch with a huge amount of customization down to the amount of stubble on your fighters face and the color of your mouth guard. As you progress sponsors will come calling and you can add new logos to your trunks. Among the career unlockables are new equipment to increase your fighter's strength, cardio, and speed as well as new trainers and sparing partners.

If you opt to create a custom character, you start with a set amount of points that you can place in any of the myriad of offensive and defensive slots for standing, ground, clinch, and other attacks. In a word, the career mode of the game is deep.

Giving your friends a good beat down is one of the most fun aspects of the game and the versus mode is where the real fun is. Any custom fighters you make in career mode will be available to fight as well as almost all of the real fighters from the UFC from all weight classes. From Brock Lesnar to JSP, the entire UFC crew is available.

There is so much to the UFC 2009 Undisputed that you could literally write a book about the game and controls and still leave details out. Suffice to say, UFC 2009 Undisputed is the very best fighting game available and fans of the UFC simply must get the game.