27 Oct 2023 4:03 PM +00:00 UTC

UFC 5: How to grapple

UFC 5 is already out and MMA fans have already bought the game to enjoy EA Sports' realistic virtual fighting. We've already told you about the controls and the art of defence, so it's time to explain how to grapple in UFC 5.

Grappling is a martial art based on the positional maneuvers of two fighters, each trying to defeat the other with painful and suffocating techniques. In UFC 5, this mechanic has undergone minor changes, so let's get on it.

And while you are still here, be sure to check out our guide on how to uppercut in UFC 5. On top of that, here we have an article on how to clinch in UFC 5, feel free to read it.

How to grapple in UFC 5

The main goal of grappling is to force the opponent to surrender in one way or another. It's hard to imagine an MMA fight without the use of painful and suffocating techniques, and UFC is no exception. In UFC 5, you can switch to grappling in three positions, specifically:

In a stand-up position
In the clinch
On the ground

To use grappling correctly, you first need to learn and master the basic controls in the stand-up position, so let's take a look at them:

Stand-up grapple controls

Approach your opponent and use these techniques in the fight to 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

Stand-up grapple defence 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

We recommend that you perfect your skills in the training centre. Go to the main menu and click the Learn tab to start practicing. Here, you can hone your basic skills by setting up your opponent as you wish.

Once you have mastered the basic grappling controls, it's time to move on to more advanced ones, such as clinch and ground grappling. By using these mechanics correctly, you can score painful takedowns and defeat your opponent more often.

Clinch grapple controls

Now let's take a look at the grappling controls used in clinch:

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

Clinch grapple defence controls

These controls are useful if you don't want to be on the ground. Protect yourself in the clinch while grappling.

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

Ground grapple defence

Mastering these controls will make you a pro at grappling on the ground:

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 defence

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 doctor stoppages work in UFC 5

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