- EA SPORTS UFC 5 controls split into striking and grappling layers you must learn separately
- Legacy Grappling control scheme offers more ground options than Grapple Assist
- Submissions require two steps: enter the setup, then finish after winning the stamina battle
- Transition denials (R2/LT + right stick direction) drain opponent stamina and lock in submissions
- Submission health bar only empties when you hold a stamina advantage
EA SPORTS UFC 5 Controls: Grappling Schemes Explained
The ground game in UFC 5 runs on two different control schemes, and choosing the right one shapes your entire grappling experience. Grapple Assist simplifies inputs for newer players by combining transitions and submissions into assisted prompts, while Legacy Grappling gives you full manual control over every position change and submission attempt.
Video Highlights:
- Legacy Grappling offers more options on the ground than Grapple Assist
- Hold L2/LT on the ground to display available submissions
- Submission success depends on stamina advantage and chaining
- Deny escapes with R2/LT plus right stick left or right
- Real online fights may need 2-3 submission attempts to finish
| Control Scheme | Input Complexity | Ground Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapple Assist | Low | Simplified prompts | Beginners |
| Legacy Grappling | High | Full manual control | Competitive play |
Switch to Legacy Grappling in the settings menu as early as possible. It takes longer to learn, but the extra options on the ground make submissions, transitions, and denial reads far more powerful in ranked matches.
Core Ground Control Inputs
Before diving into submissions, you need the base grappling inputs memorized. These are the foundation every ground exchange is built on, for both PlayStation and Xbox layouts.
| Action | PlayStation | Xbox | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show submissions | Hold L2 | Hold LT | Displays options for current position |
| Select submission | L2 + Right Stick direction | LT + Right Stick direction | Options vary by position and fighter |
| Deny transition | Hold R2 + Right Stick L/R | Hold RT + Right Stick L/R | Direction depends on escape animation |
| Transition positions | Right Stick (Legacy) | Right Stick (Legacy) | Manual position changes |
Key details worth memorizing:
- Position determines options: From top mount you might see armbar or arm triangle; other positions open chokes and kimuras
- Fighter matters: Submission specialists like Charles Oliveira have far more advanced options than strikers like Sean Strickland
- Escape routes are limited: When caught in a submission setup, the opponent can only transition left or right to escape
Denial direction is not arbitrary. Read your opponent's body movement in each setup position and deny the direction their body shifts. Learn the common animations for triangle chokes, armbars, and kimuras so denials become muscle memory.
Submission System: Step-by-Step Guide
The submission system in UFC 5 is a two-step process. Simply selecting a submission does not finish it — you must first win the battle for position and stamina.
Enter the Submission Setup
From a dominant ground position, hold L2/LT to display available submissions, then flick the right stick to select one. This places you in the setup position — for example, the armbar entry from top mount.
Win the Stamina Battle
From the setup position, your opponent can only escape left or right. Hold R2/RT and deny the matching direction each time they attempt to transition. Every successful denial drains their stamina.
Finish the Submission
Once your stamina bar clearly outclasses theirs, select the submission again to lock in the finish. With a large stamina advantage, the submission health bar drains rapidly and the opponent taps.
Chain If Needed
In real fights, one attempt rarely empties the bar. Transition to another dominant position like back side control, deny more escapes, and chain a second or third submission attempt.
A submission attempted against a fresh opponent does almost no damage to their submission health bar. The same move against a gassed opponent can end the fight instantly — time your attempts around stamina, not position alone.
Submission Strategy Comparison
Different paths lead to tap-outs. These are the main strategies and when to use them.
Stamina Denial Game
- Most reliable method
- Deny transitions to drain stamina
- Works in every position
- Pairs well with late-round takedowns
Submission Chaining
- Link multiple attempts together
- Each attempt chips the submission bar
- Keeps opponent guessing on defense
- Requires strong position control
Rock-Then-Tap
- Rock opponent with strikes first
- Immediately take them down
- Their depleted health accelerates the tap
- High-risk, high-reward
| Strategy | Setup Difficulty | Finish Speed | Stamina Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamina Denial | Medium | Fast | High advantage needed |
| Submission Chaining | High | Medium | Moderate |
| Rock-Then-Tap | High | Very fast | Low (already drained) |
Round three is prime submission territory. By then, most opponents have burned stamina on striking exchanges, and a single denial sequence can set up an immediate kimura or choke finish.
Training Checklist for the Ground Game
Ground Game Mastery Goals:
- Switch to Legacy Grappling controls
- Memorize denial directions for common submission setups
- Practice stamina denial in the Training Arena
- Land first online submission win via stamina advantage
- Chain two submissions in a single ground sequence
Use the Training Arena first against AI to internalize the two-step submission flow, then test denials in online ranked where opponents transition unpredictably.
Training Arena submissions come clean and fast. Online, expect messy scrambles, two or three attempts per finish, and opponents who know their escape animations. Patience and stamina management win more fights than speed.
FAQ
Q: What are the basic EA SPORTS UFC 5 controls for starting a submission?
On the ground, hold L2 on PlayStation or LT on Xbox to display available submissions, then move the right stick in the shown direction to select one. Available options depend on your position and the fighter you are using.
Q: How do I actually make my opponent tap out?
Selecting the submission only enters the setup. You must drain the opponent's submission health bar by gaining a stamina advantage — mainly through denying their escape transitions with R2/RT plus right stick left or right — then select the submission again to finish.
Q: Legacy Grappling or Grapple Assist: which should I use?
Legacy Grappling is harder to learn but gives you significantly more options on the ground, including manual transitions and full submission control. Most competitive players recommend Legacy Grappling once you are past the beginner stage.
Q: Why does my submission do almost no damage?
Submission damage scales directly with the stamina difference between you and your opponent. If their stamina is high and yours is low, the submission health bar barely moves. Drain their stamina with transition denials before attempting the finish.