While it may sound simple, hitting your opponent in mixed martial arts is difficult. Of course, it doesn't take much to punch or kick, but being a competent striker takes more than knowing how to do it. Fighters need to know when to strike and make sure you don't tire out in the process. After all, when a mixed martial artist is in a fight, preserving energy is the key to a match that could last 15 or 25 minutes.
Most of the same hitting principles that apply to true mixed martial arts can be used in UFC 4, with a few caveats here and there. But what should you know about typing? Let's go over our five striking tips you need to know for UFC 4.
Don't be too aggressive
If you're new to the UFC franchise, you can be a little overzealous when it comes to hitting early. The reason is that it's easy to get into a habit where you try to hit anything and everything that moves. The problem with this, however, is what happens if you miss. Missing your target could put you in a vulnerable position, making it easier for the opponent to expose you with a counterattack. To avoid this, be decisive with your shots, and try to wait for the opposition to miss. If you want to be the aggressor that's fine, but keep in mind that you need to be close enough to hit your opponent or you'll miss the mark.
Use the melee game
Several MMA maneuvers have received upgrades in UFC 4, but perhaps no move has received greater than melee. Melee is a great way to maximize your offensive abilities. because it allows fighters to club the opposition with jabs or knees to the face, all while the opposing fighter is stuck in a vulnerable position. To perform melee, just press RB / R1 + X / Square, but keep this in mind: you need to use it wisely. Use it if you can't manage to catch your opponent and you can just club them with a straight or a hook.
The standing strike is not that exhausting
Most of the time in UFC 4 you will attempt to hit the opposing fighter in the stand-up game. However, keep in mind that hitting is a bit different from previous UFC games in one aspect: stamina. One of UFC 4's most notable changes from UFC 3 is the minuscule amount of stamina required to attempt to land any kind of strike. While this change makes the strike in UFC 4 a bit arcade, it does mean you don't have to look meticulously at the yellow stamina bar every second when you throw a strike.
It also means that you can be freer when it comes to throwing punches and kicks, but as we mentioned before, you need to make sure you don't put yourself in a vulnerable position when you hit.
Go to the ground and to the pound
Clinching is a great way to beat opposition, but the same is true for both ground and pound play. First of all, you have to take down the opposing fighter. From there, you'll need to use the grappling paddle to choose the stance you want to use. The two most recommended positions for ground play are Top Mount and Side Control, because not only is it harder for the opponent to escape, but you also have a clear path to hit the opposition.
If you are using the top mount, keep in mind that you can hit the opposing fighter's head (X / Square and Y / Triangle) or the body (LT / L2 + X / Square or Y / Triangle). However, ground combat requires more stamina than stand-up. For this reason, you need to keep an eye on your energy.
Know your fighter's moves
If you are competing in the World Championships online, or even in career mode, you need to make sure that you are aware of your fighter's movements in their arsenal. Each fighter has a different set of movements, and therefore different controls. For example, one fighter might have a straight line that requires you to press Y / Triangle, but another has a variant that has the same control.
If you need help figuring out a fighter's move set, access in-game help if you press Pause during a fight. From here you will see an option to see the movements of a fighter. Study the motion controls carefully, because once you do, you will know which inputs you need to press to hammer the opposition.
