Fedor Emelianenko Headlines EA Sports MMA Roster (Press Release)

[Steve_OS]

FEDOR EMELIANENKO HEADLINES EA SPORTS MMA ROSTER

World’s Top Ranked MMA Fighter Joined by Gegard Mousasi and Renato Sobral as First Fighters Announced for All-New Product

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., - July 29, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Fedor Emelianenko, the world’s top ranked* MMA heavyweight, will headline the EA SPORTS™ MMA fighter roster. Emelianenko will be joined by Gegard Mousasi and Renato Sobral, both of whom will be featured in a title bout at the STRIKEFORCE fight on August 15, as the first of a long list of fighters who will appear in EA SPORTS MMA, the all-new mixed martial arts title coming in 2010.

“I have fought all over the world and I am excited to be in EA SPORTS MMA because this game is going to show the global appeal of mixed martial arts,” said Emelianenko. “I know MMA fans have been wanting to play as me and pitting me against any opponent. Now they will have their opportunity.”

Fedor Emelianenko, a 6’0”, 231 pound Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter, who excels in Sambo and Judo, holds a 30-1 record and is the current WAMMA Heavyweight champion. Prior to signing on with STRIKEFORCE, Emelianenko defended his WAMMA championship by knocking out former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.

Gegard Mousasi, a former Dream Middleweight champion, has a current record of 25-2-1 and won his last match in Dream 9 against Mark Hunt this past May. The 6’1”, 185 pound Dutch-Armenian fighter will be taking on Renato Sobral to determine STRIKEFORCE’s Light Heavyweight champion and has a fight style that is a unique blend of Dutch kickboxing and judo.

Sobral, hailing from Brazil, is known for his aggressive style, grappling prowess, and high-caliber submissions. He is the current STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight champion and has a record of 35-8 with his last victory coming against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Affliction: Day of Reckoning fight earlier this year.

“I am very excited to have Fedor, the number one heavyweight in the world, as one of the top fighters in EA SPORTS MMA,” said Executive Producer Dale Jackson. “He is one of the elite fighters in the sport today and will provide the ultimate competition for our gamers. The EA SPORTS MMA team at Tiburon has been working on the game for over a year already and we will have a lot more great fighters and other exciting news to talk about soon.”

In addition to appearing in the EA SPORTS MMA video game, Mousasi and Sobral will be sponsored by EA SPORTS for the STRIKEFORCE fight.

EA SPORTS MMA will feature the most authentic, intense and broad mixed martial arts experience to date – complete with a vast array of top fighters and fighting styles from around the world. EA SPORTS MMA will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

For more information about EA SPORTS MMA, log onto www.easportsmma.com or follow the game on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsmma.

[Stumbleweed]

Heh, I hate that tribal tattoo logo... so cheesy.

I think this game will be good, but their roster is gonna be garbage even with Fedor, Randy, and Gegard. Unless they're going for a historical game and they sign a bunch of old UFC guys, it's gonna be pretty sparse with stars.

[zombie5146]

great news.. at least for hardcore fans, not just UFC junkies

[DubTrey1]

Well, at least there is now some comp. Let's hope it makes for a great game for both UFC and EA's entry in to the ring... As far as the roster goes, yeah - it will be a bunch of guys many folks have not heard of, but if the gameplay is tight, fun and a real challenge....then we could be in for a treat for those who did not like the UFC title.

[GatorBait06NC]

What is EA thinking? It will be nothing compared to UFC Undisputed. Because MMA fans dont want all the cheesy gimmicks that EA is going to throw in this game. Not to mention it will prob be a glitchfest like most other EA titles. It is not possible for EA to make a better MMA game than Undisputed.

UFCs only flaw are the quitters online and the ease in which you can submit someone. I think this game will be a huge bust. 1) Because casual MMA fans wont recognize but maybe a handful of fighters in this game. 2) And Hardcore MMA fans would rather play UFC. UFC Undisputed is a pretty good game.

[judgejudy]

Quote: Originally Posted by GatorBait06NC

UFCs only flaw are the quitters online and the ease in which you can submit someone..

right, because UFC was perfect with all the robotic striking & movement, lack of fighter styles, boring career mode, and inability to even allow a fighter to fight southpaw.

[tabulaRasa]

This was the signing EA needed to keep their game legit. Looks like it will be competetion for THQ. ANd I guess thise means we wont see Fedor in UFC(I mean in the real UFC) anytime soon.

[Pappy Knuckles]

I'm hoping that both games improve upon the striking in Undisputed. I have a hard time playing it because Fight Night feels so much more fluid. I'd prefer it if everything was controlled with the analog stick, bumper, and triggers. The buttons could be used for clinching and taunts.