Talk about timing! EA Sports MMA’s arrival looks set to be the perfect example of striking while the iron is hot, as its planned debut is happening just as mixed-martial-arts fighting is exploding into a mainstream phenomenon. MMA may lack the cultural and historical cachet of boxing or the expertly choreographed theatrics of professional wrestling, but the relatively young sport has gained incredible momentum in recent years, selling out arenas and watched by millions on national television and pay-per-view events.

Last spring’s UFC 2009: Undisputed rode this propulsive wave to widespread praise and massive sales, but at a first-look event for its own genre debut, EA deftly avoided comparisons to THQ’s smash hit and laid out plans for a larger-scale approach for EA Sports MMA. Instead of focusing on a single league or promotion, the new challenger spotlights the worldwide sport of mixed martial arts, as well as what it means to be a fighter in the international MMA community.

Of course, doing so without household-name fighters or known licenses might draw condemnations from the MMA faithful, and EA hasn’t been shy about revealing real-life stars and partnerships to date. Top fighters like ex-UFC warrior Randy Couture — and big names like Fedor Emelianenko, Jake Shields, and Brett Rogers — have all been confirmed for the game, and EA has announced a deal to feature San Jose, California–based Strikeforce as the game’s premier league. Bringing Strikeforce aboard not only allows EA access to some of its top fighters, but also means star referee “Big” John McCarthy will appear, as well as commentators Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo and ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.

Other unannounced leagues will join Strikeforce in the game, and while EA wasn’t ready to talk about MMA’s feature set (though a career mode was mentioned), we caught wind that the game would include international venues and training facilities showcasing hexagonal cages and boxing rings in unique settings. A women’s division is also being considered — one of the unique traits of Strikeforce not included in the UFC — though executive producer Dale Jackson said it might not be included “in this game.” Does this mean that it would be saved for a potential follow-up? We’re guessing “yes.”

Developed by EA Tiburon, EA Sports MMA runs off an enhanced version of the Fight Night Round 4 game engine, and while boxing and mixed martial arts differ in many ways, EA Sports MMA looks to take after the latest Fight Night in a few key respects.

Most notable, perhaps, is an effort to make sure each martial artist is unique — no two fighters will act (or react) similarly in battle.

Just as Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali had very distinct (and authentic) mannerisms in Fight Night Round 4, our early demo of MMA had Emelianenko and Rogers displaying varied routines and animations. While Fedor hovered on the balls of his feet, Brett was bouncing from side to side. Moreover, each fighter’s in-game model sported amazing detail, especially Emelianenko, whose vast experience in the cage can be traced by the scars on his digital face. Devoting so much effort to each individual may ultimately impact the size of the roster — a subject EA isn’t elaborating on right now. It remains to be seen just how many fighters make the final cut.

The demo we witnessed detailed the depth of control in the ring, which may allow for a more fluid fighting experience than UFC 2009. As Emelianenko and Rogers sparred, we saw a variety of detailed techniques, including the ability to catch an opponent’s kick and hold it, giving you the opportunity to counter in different ways. You might choose to throw a punch or perhaps sweep the other leg for a takedown, but you’ll have to act quickly: the fighter whose foot is in the air can just as easily break free from your grasp and launch another assault.

Later, we saw Rogers clinch Emelianenko and guide him around the ring, tossing in punches as Fedor tried to squirrel his way out of the hold. Getting to the dominant position is important, although numerous defensive techniques — including parrying, countering, and sidestepping — allow for strategic responses to offensive attacks. The Tiburon development team claims there will be no loss of control in the game, so you won’t have to wait for an opponent’s punch animation to land before triggering your own attack. A Fight Night–like analog-based control scheme will be the default in EA Sports MMA, but EA learned from its mistake of leaving out button controls in Fight Night Round 4’s original release. (Fan outcry ended up prompting the developer to add the feature in a downloadable update.) EA Sports MMA lets players customize their controls straight out of the box.

With only limited gameplay footage and no hands-on time yet, it’s too early to tell if EA Sports MMA will live up to its ambitious goals. But considering the pedigree of the Fight Night engine, it seemingly has the potential to make a serious run at UFC 2009. We’ll find out soon if EA’s game proves a real contender, or perhaps even a potential champion in waiting.