EA Sports recently released a short teaser video announcing that MMA legends are coming to the game. So, I imagine in December, there will either be some sort of MMA legends content update or a downloadable content pack featuring some MMA and UFC legends for players. I have compiled a list of the MMA and UFC legends I would most like to see appear in the game. To be clear, Fedor Emelianenko will not appear on the list. The list is made up of fighters who have fought in the UFC and would realistically appear in the game.
HONORABLE MENTION: Don Frye
The Predator Don Frye made quite a name for himself in the early days of MMA and the UFC. He is, without a doubt, a legend who is more than deserving of a spot in EA Sports UFC–and even the UFC Hall of Fame. Frye was victorious in a one-night tournament at UFC 8 in 1996. Later the same year, he won the Ultimate Ultimate 96 tournament. In Pride FC in 2002, he had a classic fight and was labeled the best of the year against Yoshihiro Takayama. Frye is a force of nature and a legend who is larger than life.
5. Pat Miletich
Miletich was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame after a stalwart career in and around the sport. In 1998, Miletich became the UFC’s very first welterweight champion, and he defended the belt several times. Besides being a UFC legend and former champion, Miletich founded the near legendary MMA stable, Miletich Fighting Systems, the group that trained such other UFC champions as Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver and Tim Sylvia. Miletich’s contributions to the sport are many, so he deserves a digital avatar for the game.
4. Ken Shamrock
While Ken Shamrock has had his differences with the UFC over the years, it appears he has mended fences with UFC President Dana White and the brass of ZUFFA (UFC’s parent company) as of late. Recently, the UFC digital subscription service, UFC Fight Pass, started its own Ken Shamrock Fightography collection. With that in mind, the next step involves adding Shamrock to EA Sports UFC. Shamrock was a dominator in the early days of the sport, known for his battles with Dan Severn and Royce Gracie. He would be a great presence for a potential Legends pack.
3. Matt Hughes
There was a time less than a decade ago when Matt Hughes was arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Hughes carried the welterweight division on his back for years and held the belt twice in the UFC. His run on top was absolutely incredible, finishing the likes of BJ Penn, Frank Trigg, and even the original UFC 1 tournament winner Royce Gracie. When Hughes was in his prime, he was without a doubt, one of the best fighters on the planet. The country boy survived and owned the game of MMA.
2. Dan Severn
Dan “The Beast” Severn had a long history of the sport. Severn competed for about 18 years and became a UFC champion, beating such luminaries as Oleg Taktarov, Tank Abbott, Ken Shamrock and even Forrest Griffin. Severn has earned his place in UFC history as one of the early pioneers of the sport and an MMA legend. He would fit right into an EA Sports UFC Legends pack.
1. Randy Couture
Randy Couture is currently on the outs with the UFC, but that does not mean he is on the outs with EA Sports. In the past, Couture made a deal with EA to appear in the EA Sports MMA game. Perhaps that deal is still in play. Regardless of UFC President Dana White’s estranged relationship with Couture, I see no reason EA Sports could not make its own separate licensing deal with Couture for him to appear. Couture may not have the most sterling record in the sport, but he experienced amazing longevity. Couture constantly re-invented himself and managed to become champion in both the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. Couture earned his rightful place in the UFC Hall of Fame, and he would be a great addition to the game.
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