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GINX TV > Guides & Tutorial > UFC 5

UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)

Master all of the UFC 5 controls so you can dominate while striking, grappling, and more.
By patches chance | 
First Published October 27, 2023, 17:02
UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)
EA Vancouver

As players get ready to start seeking the most epic knockouts and submissions around, knowing all of the various UFC 5 controls will give you a leg up in every aspect of the fight game. There are definite similarities to previous games, but even veteran players will need a refresher and some clarification in case their go-to techniques have changed.

We'll break down all of the UFC 5 controls in this guide including striking, grappling, stand-up, clinch, and ground controls. If you're struggling this year, we've also got some tips to help you master the nuance of UFC 5.

Table of Contents

UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)

UFC 5 Controls Guide Tips

One great thing about UFC 5 is that players have the option of choosing their own difficulty and style, and that choice is likely to impact which controls you'll have to worry about. Here are the UFC 5 game styles you can choose from:

  • Competetive: Balanced option used by default for all online competetive modes
  • Simulation: Real damage, real stamina, in real-time
  • Knockout: Emphasizes knockout power by reducing health recovery
  • Stand and Bang: Striking only with all grappling, takedowns, clinch, and submissions disabled

If you're coming here because you're frustrated with the grappling system and prefer to stick to a more pure striking experience, go with Knockout or Stand and Bang. While Knockout will still give you some grappling options, it'll lean heavily on striking and away from submissions.

If you do play a style with grappling, you'll have to decide on using the Legacy Grapple Controls, the new Grapple Assist feature, or the more balanced Hybrid option. Your controls settings can be changed at any time, but keep in mind the game styles above will be set in stone for each individual Career Mode save.

We'll get into specific UFC 5 controls below, but first it's worth explaining what Tap, Press, or Hold can mean in this context. The UFC 5 controls can be very situational, particularly as it pertains to your own distance and position compared to your opponent.

However, as a general rule, you usually want to press modifier buttons first and then face buttons either simultaneously or right after for multi-button controls. For example, you may want to hold LT and LB first before pressing X or Y to deliver a strike.

For controls that say Press and Hold, particularly those where an identical Tap or Press control is available, it's more about holding down the face button as you execute the maneuver. If you quickly Tap or Press and release, you'll get that control rather than the held option which is often a more powerful (but slower) attack.

It'll take you some time to really figure things out, but don't be afraid to check your controls and moves during a match if you're unsure of how to do something. Try some standard fights with several different fighters to test out various styles.

One of the best ways to slowly learn and improve all the UFC 5 controls is in Career Mode. Your first run through Career Mode will require a series of tutorials early on, and your further weekly Sparring options will include complex training drills each of which will help you master a different aspect of fighting.

We'll be focused on the fight controls here, but you can also check out our quick guide on how to touch gloves in UFC 5 if you want to show a bit of respect before each round gets underway.

UFC 5 Stand-Up Controls

UFC 5 Controls Stand-Up

We'll get into some of the more advanced details below, but here are the overall UFC 5 stand-up controls:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Locomotion / Movement Move Left Stick Move Left Stick
Right Punch Press Y Press Triangle
Left Punch Press X Press Square
Right Leg Kick Press B Press Circle
Left Leg Kick Press A Press X
Head Movement Move Right Stick Move Right Stick
Switch Stance Press Right Stick Press R3
Taunts Press D-Pad Any Direction Press D-Pad 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

Grapple Controls

If you're looking for a grapple (or fighting one off) from the stand-up position, here are the UFC 5 controls you'll need:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg Takedown Tap LT + X + A Tap L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg Takedown Tap LT + Y + B Tap L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg Takedown Press & Hold LT + X + A Press & Hold L2 + Square + X
Power Double Leg Takedown Press & Hold LT + Y + B Press & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle
Single Collar Clinch X + A Square + X
Defend Takedown Hold LT + RT Hold L2 + R2
Defend Clinch Move Right Stick Any Direction Move Right Stick Any Direction

Striking Controls

You'll have to check your own fighter's moves for details on their exact attacks, but these are the general UFC 5 controls for core strikes while in the stand-up position:

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

Advanced Movement

Lastly from the stand-up position, there are a few controls to further augment your movement both into and out of action:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Minor Lunge Flick Left Stick Flick Left Stick
Major Lunge Hold LB + Move Left Stick Hold L1 + Move Left Stick
Pivot Lunge Hold LB + Move Right Stick Hold L1 + Move Right Stick
Signature Evade Hold LB + Flick Left Stick Hold L1 + Flick Left Stick

UFC 5 Clinch Controls

UFC 5 Controls Clinch

You'll have a few similarities to stand-up controls here, but these are the main UFC 5 controls you need to know while in the clinch:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Rotate / Push / Pull Opponent
 Move Left Stick Move Left Stick
Right Punch Press Y Press Triangle
Left Punch Press X Press Square
Right Knee
 Press B Press Circle
Left Knee
 Press A Press X
Advanced Transition Modifier Hold LB Hold L1
Takedown / Submission Modifier Hold LT Hold L2
Strike Modifier Hold RB Hold R1
High Block Hold RT Hold R2
Low Block Hold RT + LT Hold R2 + L2

Clinch Grapple Controls

Now let's get into the more advanced UFC 5 controls while grappling in the clinch:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Wrestling Single Leg Takedown Tap LT + X + A Tap L2 + Square + X
Wrestling Double Leg Takedown Tap LT + Y + B Tap L2 + Triangle + Circle
Power Single Leg Takedown Press & Hold LT + X + A Press & Hold L2 + Square + X
Power Double Leg Takedown Press & Hold LT + Y + B Press & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle
Single / Double Leg Modifier Move Left Stick to the Right, Up, or Down Move Left Stick to the Right, Up, or Down
Advance Position Press RB + X or RB + Y Press R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle
Trip / Throw Press RB + A or RB + B Press R1 + X or R1 + Circle
Submissions Press LT + RB + X or LT + RB + Y Press L2 + R1 + Square or L2 + R1 + Triangle
Defend Takedown/Throw
 Hold LT + RT Hold L2 + R2
Defend Submission
 Hold RT Hold R2
Single / Double Leg Defense Modifier
 Move Left Stick to the Left, Up, or Down Move Left Stick to the Left, Up, or Down
Clinch Escape
 Move Left Stick Left Move Left Stick Left 

Clinch Striking Controls

If you're looking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:

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

UFC 5 Ground Controls

UFC 5 Controls Ground

Finally, there are several UFC 5 controls you'll need while on the ground. However, exactly how these work will vary a bit based on the exact control scheme you're using.

Players using Grapple Assist will have an easier and more simplified set of controls while the Legacy Grapple Controls are more complex. You'll have a bit of an edge online if you master the Legacy Grapple Controls, but the best option for most players will be Grapple Assist or the Hybrid function that blends the two.

First, here are the general UFC 5 controls while on the ground:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Grapple Stick
 Move Left Stick Move Left Stick
Advanced Grapple / Transition
 Move Right Stick Move Right Stick
Right Punch Press Y Press Triangle
Left Punch Press X Press Square
Right Knee
 Press B Press Circle
Left Knee
 Press A Press X
Advanced Transition Ground and Pound Modifier Hold LB Hold L1
Body Shots Modifier Hold LT Hold L2
Ground and Pound Modifier Hold RB Hold R1
High Block Hold RT Hold R2
Low Block Hold RT + LT Hold R2 + L2

Grapple Assist & Defense Controls

Here are the UFC 5 controls you need while using Grapple Assist or trying to defend against an opponent's grapple:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Get Up Move Left Stick Up Move Left Stick Up
Submission Move Left Stick Left Move Left Stick Left
Ground and Pound Move Left Stick Right Move Left Stick Right
Defend Transition Hold RT + Move Right Stick or Hold RT + Move Left Stick Hold R2 + Move Right Stick or Hold R2 + Move Left Stick

Legacy Grapple Controls

Once again, these will only be needed if you're using the Legacy Grapple Controls scheme or appear in part while using hybrid controls in UFC 5:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Transition Move Right Stick Any Direction Move Right Stick Any Direction
Submission Hold LT + Move Right Stick Any Direction Hold L2 + Move Right Stick Any Direction
Additional Transitions Hold LB + Move Right Stick Any Direction Hold L1 + Move Right Stick Any Direction

Ground and Pound Controls

Lastly, we have the UFC 5 controls while you're in the Ground and Pound position:

oking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:

Action Xbox Series X|S Controls PS5 Controls
Hooks Tap LB + X or LB + Y Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body Straights
 Tap LT + X or LT + Y Tap L2 + Square or L1 + Triangle
Body Hooks
 Tap LT + LB + X or LT + LB + Y Tap L2 + L1 + Square or L2 + L1 + Triangle
Elbows
 Tap RT + X or RT + Y Tap R2 + Square or R2 + Triangle
Head Movement
 Move Right Stick to the Left or Right Move Right Stick to the Left or Right
Post Defense
 Hold LB + Move Right Stick to the Left or Right Hold L1 + Move Right Stick to the Left or Right

That wraps up all the UFC 5 controls you'll need in each fight. If you're playing offline with a fighter you're not accustomed to, make sure to pause and check their moves to ensure you're not going for an attack they don't have access to.

patches chance

Written by patches chance

Patches Chance is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor with experience covering professional wrestling, gaming, and entertainment.

Her work has been featured at Paste Magazine, Heavy, Fanbyte, The Loadout, and GINX TV. He has also worked as an editor with Daily DDT and RealSport101.