26 Oct 2023 10:32 AM +00:00 UTC

UFC 5: Controls guide

EA Sports UFC 5 Early Access is now available. Fans have been eagerly waiting to try out the game that has been in development for 4 years. To ensure you don't get knocked out every time you play, we have this guide to help you quickly master the controls of UFC 5.

Before you dive into UFC 5, it's a good idea to learn at least the basic fighter controls, especially if you're a beginner. We will teach you how to attack, defend and even knock out your opponents, so read on to become a powerful fighter.

Also, if you're looking for even more content, you can take a look at our guide on how to clinch in UFC 5. On top of that, make sure to read our article on how to touch gloves in UFC 5.

UFC 5 controls guide

UFC 5 controls are complicated, especially if this is your first time playing the game. In general, we will analyze three categories of controls, namely:

Stand-up controls
Clinch controls
Ground controls

These three mechanics are the basis of the game and the sport itself. Each fighter's fighting style affects their combinations and effectiveness in a particular stance. For example, a character with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighting style will be very effective in grappling but will lose against a more balanced kickboxer when standing. That's why you should try out different fighters and choose the one that suits you and your style of playing best.

Below are simple basic controls that you need to master first:

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Locomotion / Movement	Left stick in any direction	Left stick in any direction
Right Punch	Y	Triangle
Left Punch	X	Square
Right Leg Kick	B	Circle
Left Leg Kick	A	X
Head Movement	Right stick in any direction	Right stick in any direction
Switch Stance	Right Stick	R3
Taunts	D-pad in any direction	D-pad in any direction
Technical Modifier	Hold LB	Hold L1
Body Modifier	Hold LT	Hold L2
Signature Modifier	Hold RB	Hold R1
High Block / Feint Strike	Hold RT	Hold R2
Low Block / Leg Catch (Timed)	Hold RT + LT	Hold R2 + L2

Stand-up controls in UFC 5

Now that you've mastered the basic controls, it's time to look at the more advanced stand-up controls. By using these techniques skillfully, you will be able to dominate your opponent and come out on top in every fight.

Grapple

Activity	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg	LT + X + A	L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg	LT + Y + B	L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg Takedown	LT + X + A	L2 + Square + Hold X
Power Double Leg Takedown	LT + Y + B	L2 + Triangle + Hold Circle
Single Collar Clinch	X + A	Square + X

Grapple defense

Activity	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Defend Takedown	LT + RT	L2 + R2
Defend Clinch	Right stick in any direction	Right stick in any direction

Core strikes

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Hooks	LB + X or LB + Y	Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Uppercuts	RB + X or RB + Y	Tap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Overhands	LB + hold X or LB + hold Y	L1 + hold Square or L1 + hold Triangle
Body kicks	LT + A or LT + B	L2 + X or L2 + Circle
Head kicks	LB + A or LB + B	L1 + X or L1 + Circle

Advanced movement

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Minor Lunge	Flick LS	Flick LS
Major Lunge	Hold LB + Move LS	Hold L1 + Move LS
Pivot Lunge	Hold LB + Move RS	Hold L1 + Move RS
Signature Evade	Hold LB + Flick LS	Hold L1 + Flick LS
Switch Stance	Tap RS	Tap R3

Clinch controls in UFC 5

These controls are very similar to those used in the stand-up position, but that's all you need to know about the moves when you're in the clinch.

Grapple

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg Takedown	LT + X + A	L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg Takedown	LT + Y + B	L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg Takedown	LT + X + A	L2 + Square + X
Single/Double Leg Modifier	Left stick in any direction	Left stick in any direction
Advance Position	RB + X or RB + Y	R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Trip/Throw	RB + A or RB + B	R1 + X or R1 + Circle
Submissions	LT + RB + X or LT + RB + Y	L2 + R1 + Square or L2 + R1 + Triangle

Now, let's take a look at the important defensive controls.

Grapple defense controls

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Defend Takedown/Throw	LT + RT	L2 + R2
Defend Submission	RT	R2
Single/Double Leg Defense Modifier	Left stick in any direction	Left stick in any direction
Clinch Escape	Left stick to the opposite side of the opponent	Left stick to the opposite side of the opponent

Core strikes

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Hooks	LB + X or LB + Y	Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Uppercuts	RB + X or RB + Y	Tap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Body Knees	LT + A or LT + B	Tap L2 + X or L2 + Circle
Head Knees	LB + A or LB + B	Tap L1 + X or L1 + Circle
Elbows	Press & Hold LB + X or LB + Y	Press & Hold L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle

Ground controls in UFC 5

Do you want to throw your enemy to the ground? Do you need to learn to defend against an opponent who knows how to grapple? Here are the ground controls that you need to master:

Ground and pound

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Hooks	LB + X or LB + Y	L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body straights	LT + Y or LT + X	L2 + Triangle or L2 + Square
Body hooks	LT + LB + X or LT + LB + Y	L2 + L1 + Square or L2 + L1 + Triangle
Elbows	RT + X or RT + Y	R2 + Square or R2 + Triangle
Head movement	Right stick on the right or left	Right stick on the right or left
Post defense	LB + right stick on the right or left	LB + right stick on the right or left

Grapple assist and defense

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Get up	Left stick up	Left stick up
Submission	Left stick left	Left stick left
Ground and pound	Left stick right	Left stick right
Defent transition	RT + right stick or RT + left stick	R2 + right stick or R2 + left stick

Legacy grapple controls

Action	Xbox Series X\|S Controls	PS5 Controls
Transition	Right stick in any direction	Right stick in any direction
Submission	LT + right stick in any direction	L2 + right stick in any direction
Additional Transitions	LB + right stick in any direction	L1 + right stick in any direction

Read more: How to takedown in UFC 5

For more articles like this, take a look at our UFC page.