ĭan Plunkett of 411Mania gave the Xbox 360 version nine out of ten and called it "the best game of the series and the best mixed martial arts video game to date." Jeffrey Harris of the same website gave the PlayStation 3 version 9.6 out of 10 and said it was "really the MMA game we've been waiting for years. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four nines for a total of 36 out of 40. The game received "generally favourable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Mario Yamasaki, Herb Dean, Yves Lavigne, Josh Rosenthal, Dan Miragliotta and Kevin Mulhall are the referees available in the game.Pride matches are realised on Saitama Super Arena and WFA matches are realised at The Joint. Madison Square Garden returns from UFC 2009 Undisputed. Venues available includes MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The O2, Bell Centre, Palms Casino Resort, and the Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino.Sweeps are back from UFC 2009 Undisputed, including new ones.Fighters are now able to sway on the ground to avoid strikes.New options, such as Stamina Simulation mode, Competition Spec mode (removes all random elements such as flash KOs and doctor stoppages), and Stat Equalizer (equalizes all stats to 90 for both fighters).New ground positions with the cage, including using the cage to set up submissions and "wall walking" back to a standing position.Stat decay removed in Career Mode, and roster fighters from the UFC and Pride can now be taken through career mode.Whip knees can be done to the body and can be blocked. New clinch controls, including a new transition in the clinch to back control.A fighter's reach is now a big part in striking, and new feint system and takedown-intercepting knees have been added. Elbow spamming has been fixed, with only certain fighters having elbows in clinch range. Redesigned striking game emphasizing jabs, quick strikes, and combinations.Cuts affect stamina and energy recovery rate.
New Stamina system, where stamina can only come back up so far until you are fully rested."Finish the Fight" allows you to continue punching an unconscious opponent until the referee pulls you off. Leg kick TKO's, including leg breaks from blocked kicks.Two game play control options: traditional and simplified (Pro and Amateur controls).New Stats: Footwork, Ground Grapple Top and Bottom for offense and defense.Motion capture used for fighters for more realistic movement.New submission moves includes the standing rear naked choke, standing guillotine choke, and the flying scissor heel hook. Lenne Hardt announces the fighters in Pride in English. Commentary is provided by Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros.
Pride Grand Prix has also been included, with the ability to have fights in the same night with damage moving onto the next fight.