Beginner Tips For Undisputed

Steel City Interactive’s boxing sim, Undisputed, has transitioned from Early Access to a full launch. Touted as the premier boxing game for modern consoles, the developers are committed to rolling out additional updates over time. Unlike traditional fighting games, this is a combat sports game that shares more similarities with EA’s UFC 5.

Undisputed does not require complex inputs in order for players to execute specific moves, and it’s uncommon for a fight to end in minutes—though it can happen. The game is designed for a strategic and tactical back-and-forth battle, with the expectation that winning comes from playing the long game and going the distance. Below are some vital tips to get off to a good start in Undisputed.

Updated January 31, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn: To succeed in Undisputed, one must master many intricate boxing techniques. Although the game has its issues, it accurately depicts many aspects of what matters in a boxing match, such as a fighter’s advantages and disadvantages in the squared circle. For those looking to dominate the competition, this article has been updated to feature even more tips to give Undisputed players an edge.

1

Play The Career Mode First

Learn The Ropes By Playing Career Mode

It’s tempting to jump into Undisputed‘s online fights, but for the most part, matchmaking isn’t perfect, as it can match a brand-new player with someone with 200 or more fights on their record. Instead, players should try putting some time into Undisputed‘s career mode. Here, they can use any of their favorite real-life fighters or create their own boxers.

It’s an excellent way to discover a comfortable fighting style; there’s no better method for learning range, distance, and timing in the boxing ring. Moreover, the career mode adds longevity, depth, and replay value. It’s worth trying out the weekly Prize Fights, too, as these are challenging offline fights that often make players use boxers that they wouldn’t ordinarily pick.

2

Learn To Counterpunch

Striking At The Right Time Can Result In A KO

Counterpunches are the best way to land significant damage on opponents without taxing a boxer’s stamina in the same way that throwing power punches does. In turn, using patience and timing is a great way to destroy a fighter who is rushing in and throwing endless power punches.

A quick flash on the screen signals a counterpunch, often happening when the player’s boxer lands a punch while moving away from the direction of their opponent’s punches and landing just as they miss. Players can land a power punch as a counter, which is great for fighters like Joe Louis, who has good counterpunching stats and flash KO potential with a power punch. Alternatively, Muhammad Ali doesn’t have as much power, but his high stats in speed and counterpunching make him the perfect fighter to practice with.

3

Get To Know The Fighter’s Traits

Understanding A Fighter’s Traits Can Lead To Victory

Another reason to play Undisputed‘s career mode is that the player must recruit new coaches with their fight managers and cutmen. Gaining affinity with a coach unlocks new traits for the player’s fighter in a career mode and provides an excellent opportunity for players to learn about the traits and the perks they provide to the fighters.

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Undisputed: 13 Best Traits, Ranked

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The current traits in Undisputed define a fighter’s style but are some better than others.

Before selecting a fighter in local and online matches, one must always check their traits by pressing the Square/X button on the fighter select screen. For instance, Rocky Marciano possesses traits that enhance his likelihood of knocking out his adversary, and the knockdown mini-game becomes simpler due to his Lionheart trait.

4

Check A Fighter’s Strengths And Weaknesses

The Traits Don’t Tell The Full Story

In addition to checking a fighter’s traits, you should always check their stats for strengths and weaknesses. By checking a fighter’s stats, you’ll be better prepared for a fight and will be able to utilize the best strategies for offense and, more importantly, defense.

For example, Tyson Fury has good stats for getting up after knockdown; he has strong counterpunches and great speed, but he’s vulnerable to the body, and his stamina isn’t as good as other fighters on the roster. Joe Louis is another dangerous fighter with power in both hands and is a great counterfighter, but his defense and guard can let him down against faster fighters like Ali. A boxer’s stats tell a better story of their capabilities and vulnerabilities in the ring.

5

Focus On Timing Instead Of Brawling

Timing Beats Speed, And Precision Beats Power

Timing in boxing is all about choosing the right moment to strike. Blindly swinging punches looking for the knockout will leave a fighter wide open for a counterattack. To avoid this, players must gauge the distance between fighters and pick the right shots, starting with a jab and working in combinations.

When playing online, gamers should watch how the opponent starts the match. One can often tell what kind of player they are during the first round. There are a lot of players happy with being predictable and throwing endless power punches in Undisputed. So, instead of going in guns blazing, it’s beneficial to make them work, learn their patterns, move away from their swings, and counterpunch whenever possible. When dealing with someone throwing power punchers, players should listen to the audible grunt and get out of danger.

6

Watch The Stamina Bar

Pick Shots And Avoid Brawling

Picking the right shots isn’t just about landing shots; it’s also about conserving stamina. It’s easy to get carried away by throwing too many punches in a desperate attempt to land a planned combination or shot. However, excessively throwing punches will deplete the player’s stamina, making them vulnerable to being knocked down or, even worse, suffering a flash knockout.

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Players should keep the combinations short and, if they fail to connect, refrain from launching additional punches right away. Instead, it’s best to retreat, restore stamina, and seek a new opportunity to land another punch.

7

Learn How To Play Defensively

A Good Defense Leads To A Good Offense

Boxing is as much about making the opponent miss as it is about throwing punches. The key to winning fights in Undisputed is getting away from punches and landing counterstrikes. Players can use the guard to block punches, but they must also be aware of the blocking gauge. Blocking with the RT/R2 button and immediately firing back with a quick punch can register as a counterpunch, resulting in the screen flashing.

A more effective defensive strategy is to create distance, use the L2/LT + Left Stick for head movement, and dodge the punches. When the opponent misses, players should seize the opportunity to counter with a punch. The counter is more damaging than a regular punch, so if the opponent doesn’t change strategy, players should keep countering until they hit the canvas.

8

Use Loose Movement To Get Out Of Danger

Travel Around The Ring Faster

When a player’s fighter has been rocked or knocked down, the worst thing one can do is engage their opponent and start fighting again. It’s more important to keep an eye on the fighter’s head and body health and stay out of danger. In scenarios like this, players should use footwork by utilizing the Loose Movement mechanic, which can be activated by pressing up on the D-Pad.

Upon doing so, the fighter will enter a loose movement mode and utilize footwork to get around the ring faster. It’s great for fighters like Muhammad Ali and Roy Jones Jr. who can use it to stick and move with ease. However, fighters will become more vulnerable to damage, so players should use it sparingly with more flat-footed fighters like Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano.

Systems

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Released

October 9, 2024

Developer(s)

Steel City Interactive

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