The Clinch: You are not good at it.UFC 2009 Undisputed Strategy: Clinch Defense

With about a week to play through the game and prepare for my entry in the Underground Grand Prix, I’ve taken the opportunity to create four different fighters for use in the game’s Career Mode, each with a diversified skill-set apart from the other, with no two fighters alike. Each fighter is different, but each one defends, or succumbs to, the clinch in the same manner.

Post-release, we’re going to take a different approach to the “UFC 2009: Undisputed” strategy segment here on ThrowThemBows.com, and get right to the good stuff. Let’s face it: you want to kick the crap out of your friends, and impressively. You don’t want to just knock them out, you want to know how to do that cool slam that Matt Hughes does, and you want to know how to transition then submit your opponent with ease.

We’re here to help.

UFC 2009 Undisputed Strategy: Clinch Defense

My first created light-heavyweight got murdered by Rampage because of his lack of clinch defense. Granted, one of the setbacks of attacking with the clinch is that split-second window in which you can be caught wide-open with a big strike, a window that seems to open ever-so-slightly more with every failed clinch attempt.

As a good habit, you should have already developed the instinct to keep your finger on a block button (RB or RT) at all times, as it takes nothing away from your ability to strike an opponent offensively, and keeps your hands in position to defend strikes, so long as you’re not hitting a punch or kick button.

”I’ve Been Clinched and I’m Eating Bombs… Help!”

Moving away from your opponent while clinched is of the utmost importance in any instance, as it negates the chances of an opponent keeping you controlled there, no matter what your defensive tactic… so do it. Do it first. Do it before you do anything else. Hold the Left Analog Stick in whichever direction “away from your opponent” is, left or right, not up or down.

Once your opponent has clinched you, begin your retreat backwards while holding one of the block buttons (RB or RT) immediately. Priorities for you in this position are to reduce the damage being done to you while in the clinch, and to escape the clinch altogether.

While using the left analog stick to move away, throwing strikes is an effective way to counter-fight out of the clinch while looking to break the position. Using the X and Y buttons to throw quick, short strikes can break a clinch, though you may do so at the cost of some stamina and a significant amount of damage sustained, as your strikes will not damage your opponent from here nearly as much as his will damage you.

Clinch Transitioning

Countering a striking attempt in the clinch in order to transition to a more advantageous clinch position is also an option, albeit a move that’s a bit more risky. In synchronization with the timing of the strikes your opponent is throwing at you, you can flick the Right Analog Stick either up or down to counter the upper or lower clinch strike being thrown at you.

This move must be split-second timed, and it’s aided greatly by a fighter’s clinch defense statistics, so keep that in mind when employing this tactic. Often times, more advantage can be gained from simply breaking the clinch and tying back up on your own terms, rather than eating any number of shots in order to secure a counter that guarantees no damage.

Keep an Eye on Your Opponent

Get into the habit of keeping your eye on the fighter in the advantageous position at all times. If for a split second you take your eyes off of an opponent who has you at a disadvantage in the positional game, you will find yourself flash-finished. Such is the mechanic of the game.

Upper-body clinch strikes come quick, do a significant amount of damage and should be blocked at all costs. However, once blocked, you can time your own strikes to land in repetitious fashion by rapidly pressing the X or Y buttons. You’re not hitting X or Y alternately here, however. For the most effect and cleanest clinch break, choose the strike with the quickest repetition based on your clinch position, and go with it.

For Career “Create a Fighter” Modes

The importance of substantially high clinch defense statistics in your fighter’s repertoire is unparalleled, especially in the early-going of his career. Whether your fighter’s disposition is towards striking or grappling, there is no excuse for lack of a high statistic here.

Opponents online will take to the clinch quickly, and easily, once they’re recognized it to be a weakness in your game. Also, the clinch can turn a fight in an instant, taking a hard-fought winning battle and turning it into a one-sided lost war.

Against computer opponents, especially when opposing fighters with a Muay Thai regimen of any kind, the clinch becomes nasty. Damage is done more here than in any other position in these situations, so it becomes important to not only have a naturally high statistic to defend against it, but habits that help