The grapple system in the game is also streamlined, allowing players to initiate submission attempts faster and more seamlessly when compared with UFC 4.

[1] It is the second EA Sports title and the first since Fight Night Champion (2011) to receive a Mature (M) rating by the ESRB due to the game's realistic injury system as well as stronger language in the career mode.

[3] According to game producer Nate McDonald, the team opted for a more mature rating as they wanted to portray the "visceral" nature of UFC fights authentically.

Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition can gain access to the game three days earlier and unlock three additional fighters (Fedor Emelianenko, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson).

[7] Brian Shea from Game Informer noted that despite the game's shortcomings (such as "glaring omissions" in its UFC roster of characters and the repetitive nature of the career mode), it nonetheless "delivers an exciting MMA experience", and that "the adrenaline rush that comes with knocking your opponent out in a fierce back-and-forth battle makes it hard to resist the allure of stepping back into the Octagon for one more fight".