The Ultimate Guide: Top UFC Fighters for Novices

Article Key Points

UFC 5 is a complex combat sports game with a steep learning curve, but new players can be successful with the right fighters.

In UFC 5, Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic, and Stephen Thompson are highly regarded fighters and excellent options for new players. Additionally, Alexander Volkanovski, Amanda Nunes, Max Holloway, Zhang Weili, Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva, and George St-Pierre are also considered top-rated fighters in the game.

UFC 5 presents a challenging yet intricate combat sports game that may appear daunting to newcomers aiming to grasp its mechanics. The game features complex takedowns, grappling, submissions, and timing combinations, which contribute to a steep learning curve. However, by selecting the appropriate fighters, new players greatly enhance their chances of success against both AI opponents and online players, regardless of whether they partake in ranked or quick matches.

The roster of UFC 5 offers a vast array of fighters, ensuring that most players can find one that aligns with their preferred style. Among the numerous highly-rated fighters available in UFC 5, this selection compiles some of the best choices for players who are new to the series.

1. Jon Jones

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

Known as "Look See Do," Jon Jones is widely regarded as the ultimate fighter in the history of the sport. Despite a single disqualification stemming from the use of illegal elbows while on the ground, Jones has maintained an unbeaten record in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Renowned for his versatile skills, he possesses lightning-fast hand speed, impressive clinching abilities, and exceptional wrestling techniques. Having demonstrated unparalleled dominance in the light heavyweight division, Jones went on to claim the heavyweight title as well, making him a formidable competitor in both divisions within the UFC 5.

2. Stipe Miocic

His speed and power may not be evident from his stats, but he possesses the fast hands perk, remarkable accuracy, and exceptional head movement. These attributes make him a formidable counterpuncher, especially with his notably long reach. Additionally, his wrestling skills and takedown defense rank among the best in the UFC 5.

Rating: 4½ Stars

Fighting Style -

Boxer

Stipe Miocic, a phenomenal fighter in the heavyweight division, is widely regarded as one of the best. He excels in boxing, boasting impressive accuracy, head movement, punch speed, and power. Additionally, Miocic's footwork is exceptional and he exhibits strong defense against takedowns. Having a background as a former NCAA Division One wrestler, he is adept at grappling and demonstrates remarkable proficiency on the ground.

Furthermore, Miocic possesses excellent cardio and showcases exceptional durability, particularly in his chin, body, and legs. His ability to quickly recover from attacks poses a significant challenge for opponents attempting to knock him out or cause substantial damage. With his lightning-fast jabs targeting the head and body, Miocic inflicts significant harm, complemented by his superb boxing combinations.

3. Stephen Thompson

Rating: 4½ Stars

Fighting Style -

Kickboxer

With an impressive record of 58 wins and one no-contest, Stephen Thompson remains unbeaten in the realm of full-contact kickboxing. Consistently ranked among the top ten fighters in the welterweight division, he has competed for the title twice, most notably facing Tryon Woodley in an intense battle that resulted in a contentious draw. Thompson's unique combination of Karate and kickboxing techniques mirrors the thrilling gameplay of classic fighting games such as Tekken and Street Fighter, making him an ideal choice for newcomers in the fight game.

Thompson's lack of power compared to other welterweights is offset by his exceptional footwork, reach, speed, and accuracy, making him an ideal choice for players who prefer maintaining distance and landing combinations. Notably, he possesses remarkable kicking speed and power, excelling in both southpaw and orthodox stances. Thompson's ability to unleash devastating straights, superman, and spinning punches is further enhanced by his Laser Focus perk. With his Taekwondo and Frontal Assault techniques, he solidifies his lethal kickboxing style. It is interesting to note that Thompson possesses impressive takedown defense and decent stats in submission defense, rendering him a formidable opponent against grapplers while keeping the fight predominantly on the feet.

4. Alexander Volkanovski

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

MMA Fighter

Alexander Volkonovski is widely renowned as one of the UFC's top pound-for-pound fighters. As a former professional boxer and undefeated featherweight champion, he has showcased his exceptional skills by triumphing over a remarkable array of esteemed opponents in the featherweight category. Notably, he has secured victories against the likes of Max Holloway on three occasions, Brian Ortega, Jose Aldo, and Yair Rodriguez.

5. Amanda Nunes

Volkanovski stands out as one of the top contenders in UFC 5, showcasing his exceptional hand speed, head movement, and footwork. Notably, he possesses impressive punching and kicking power and remarkable wrestling skills, making him a well-rounded mixed martial artist. Although his height disadvantage may require some players to adjust, Volkanovski compensates with his quickness and ability to navigate tricky situations.

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

Kickboxer

Amanda Nunes ranks among the top female fighters in the UFC, having achieved the distinction of a two-division champion and successfully defending both titles. Notably, she has claimed victory over formidable opponents such as Chris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Holly Holm, and famously knocked out Ronda Rousey in a mere 48 seconds of the first round.

With her exceptional punching speed, impressive power, and a longer reach complemented by remarkable accuracy, Nunes proves herself as a force to be reckoned with in the octagon. Additionally, she showcases her versatility by adeptly fighting from both orthodox and southpaw stances. Nunes possesses solid wrestling skills, including commendable takedowns, defensive maneuvers, and ground strikes. Furthermore, her opponents must be wary of her lethal looping cross, capable of inflicting devastating damage from a significant distance.

6. Max Holloway

Rating: 4½ Stars

Fighting Style -

Max Holloway, a highly skilled boxer in the UFC 5, is an ideal pick for newcomers. His exceptional attributes, including reach, punch speed, footwork, and head movement, make him particularly effective against Conor McGregor players. Additionally, with a perfect score of 100 in his switch stance, he can proficiently engage in combat from various angles.

Holloway possesses impressive grappling abilities, exceptional cardio, a solid chin, and remarkable recovery skills. These attributes contribute to his ability to effortlessly bounce back from injuries and maintain his endurance. Holloway, a former featherweight champion, has achieved victories against notable opponents such as Brian Ortega, Jose Aldo, Frankie Edgar, and Calvin Kattar.

7. Zhang Weili

Rating: 4½ Stars

Fighting Style -

MMA

Zhang Weili, a highly accomplished UFC fighter, has emerged as a dominant force with victories over Tecia Torres, Joana Jezrzejczyk, and Carla Esparza. Notably, she has clinched the women's strawweight title twice. Weili's exceptional skills in punching power, speed, accuracy, footwork, and takedown defense make her an ideal choice for newcomers entering the sport. She consistently boasts a remarkable score of 96 in these categories, solidifying her status as one of the best fighters in the industry.

She has 97 for cardio and 94 for chin, making her resilient and capable of recovering fast between rounds.

8. Israel Adysanya

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

Kickboxer

Despite his defeat to Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya remains widely regarded as one of UFC's premier striking talents. This distinction is evident in his remarkable attributes, showcasing nearly flawless speed, power, precision, evasion, footwork, kick speed, and ability to seamlessly switch stances.

As a former kickboxing champion, Adesanya is the ideal choice for players who favor capitalizing on their reach and executing effective counterattacks. While he excels in terms of endurance and recovery, he does have a susceptibility to cuts. Nevertheless, his superb boxing and kickboxing combinations make him a force to be reckoned with in the right hands, positioning him among the elite fighters in the sport.

9. Anderson Silva

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

Kickboxer

Anderson Silva, considered one of the greatest middleweight fighters of all time, showcases his skills in his prime in UFC 5. With exceptional punching speed and kicking power at 98, he is undoubtedly one of the top fighters in the game. Boasting a flawless head movement score of 100 and impressive footwork score of 97, Silva is a force to be reckoned with.

10. George S-Pierre

Moreover, Silva boasts impressive scores of 98 and 97 for clinch striking and control, respectively. Similar to Adesanya, Silva is known for his formidable counterfighting skills, yet he can also apply pressure on his opponents strategically. This makes Silva an ideal choice for players seeking to enhance their proficiency in head movement and footwork.

Rating: 5 Stars

Fighting Style -

MMA

Another strong candidate for the title of one of the greatest fighters is George St-Pierre, a former welterweight and middleweight champion. Notably, he is also recognized for his role as Captain America: Winter Soldier actor. Similar to Jon Jones, GSP has honed his skills in grappling, submissions, and executing takedowns. Additionally, he possesses exceptional abilities in Wrestle Clinic and Workhorse.

With exceptional striking, footwork, and cardio, GSP stands out as a top fighter in UFC 5. Additionally, his skills are enhanced by the perks of Laser Focus, Skirmisher, and Marathoner. For new players looking for a well-rounded choice, GSP is the perfect option. UFC 5 can be enjoyed on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S gaming consoles.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming UFC 5 game. I have been a fan of the UFC for a few years now, and I am always looking for new ways to engage with the sport. I think that UFC 5 will be a great way for me to do just that.

I am particularly interested in the new fighters that will be added to the game. I am a big fan of Jon Jones, and I am excited to see how he will perform in UFC 5. I am also interested in seeing how the new fighters will interact with the existing fighters. I think that the new fighters will add a lot of excitement to the game.

Overall, I am very excited about UFC 5. I think that it will be a great game for both new and old fans of the UFC. I can't wait to get my hands on it and start playing.