Update Overview
- EA Vancouver rolls out a fresh update for EA Sports UFC 5 on April 3.
- The 1.21 patch introduces Lightweight star Mauricio Ruffy alongside several gameplay enhancements and bug fixes.
- Expected downtime for the latest update should last approximately one hour.
The highly popular EA Sports UFC 5 is set to receive a crucial update on April 3, tailored for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms. This update not only enriches the fighter roster but also incorporates notable gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. As EA Sports UFC 5 nears its second anniversary later in the year, developer EA Vancouver remains committed to delivering regular content updates to keep fans engaged.
In light of recent speculations surrounding the revival of the Fight Night boxing franchise, insiders suggest that EA Vancouver is also working on the upcoming EA Sports UFC 6. Should both rumors hold true, fight enthusiasts can expect a thrilling few years ahead. While it remains unclear which title will debut first, the longstanding development history of the Fight Night series leans towards the possibility of a new UFC installment arriving sooner. Historically, new UFC titles from EA are launched every two to three years, with recent leaks hinting at a potential release timeline for the sixth game.
EA continues to meet the expectations of its player community with the introduction of new fighters, responding to early criticisms regarding the initial lack of representation among ranked competitors. The latest addition, Mauricio Ruffy, is a Lightweight contender who has made a significant impact in the UFC, notably securing a KO victory against Bobby Green in the opening round of their match. Since his 2024 debut, the 28-year-old has quickly risen to prominence in the octagon and players can now take control of him in UFC 5, adding depth to an already extensive roster.
According to the official patch notes, which can be accessed further down this article, EA Sports UFC 5 will also unveil new alter egos on April 8, though specifics about these characters remain undisclosed. Alongside this, the update addresses critical gameplay issues, notably a glitch affecting TJ Dillashaw’s lunging moves, and rectifies a few rare camera malfunctions and crash triggers.
Despite the likelihood of EA Sports UFC 5 nearing the culmination of its life cycle, the game has experienced a resurgence of player interest recently, primarily attributed to its addition to the PlayStation Plus catalogue. Since its launch on Sony’s subscription service in March, EA Sports UFC 5 witnessed a staggering 127.3% uptick in player engagement. Such a surge places it as the second most popular title on PS Plus, trailing only behind the critically acclaimed God of War Ragnarok, which joined the service in January.
Patch Notes for EA Sports UFC 5 Update 1.21
Deployment Schedule and Downtime
- Launch Date: April 3, 2025, at 1 PM ET
Expected Downtime: 1 hour
General Updates
- Introduction of new fighters:
- Mauricio Ruffy
- Additional alter egos available on April 8
- New assorted vanity rewards added
- Active fighters will now feature the pre-April 2024 Official UFC gloves
Gameplay Adjustments
- Resolved issues swapping T.J. Dillashaw’s Signature Forward Lunge and Major Forward Lunge inputs
- Fixed rare animation issues related to T.J. Dillashaw’s Signature Lunges
Bug Fixes
- Addressed infrequent camera issues
- Resolved rare crash triggers