From Ring To Octagon: Two Mike Tysons Fight MMA Bouts In EA Sports 'UFC 2'
By Barry Janoff
January 20, 2016: In his prime, Mike Tyson put fear into his opponents even before he entered the boxing ring.
Now, two versions of Mike Tyson will seek to put fear into opponents entering the videogame version of the UFC Octagon.
Calling it "one of those great ‘what ifs’ that we get to create when making a game," Electronic Arts said that Tyson would make his mixed martial arts debut as an "unlockable fighter" in EA Sports UFC 2, scheduled to hit retailer on March 15.
The fighter known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet" during the height of his heavyweight boxing career will fight here across two different weight classes — light heavyweight and heavyweight — and will also appear in two stages of his fight life: “Iron” Mike Tyson based on his climb to stardom in the 1980s and “Legacy” Mike, developed with final years of his career in mind, according to EA Sports.
EA Sports said that UFC 2 would feature the "biggest ever roster of real-world fighters in a MMA game."
Tyson was 37-0 from 1985 though 1989 before losing to Buster Douglas in February 1990.He went 13-5-2 the rest of his pro career before retiring in 2005.
"This is one of those great ‘what ifs’ that we get to create when making a game like EA Sports UFC 2," Brian Hayes, creative director for EA Sports, said in a statement. "It’s fun to think that if MMA was as popular back when he was competing as it is today, you might have seen Tyson put on four ounce gloves and step into the Octagon.
“When you think about the most devastating fighters of all time, Mike Tyson is either around, or at the top of everyone’s list," said Hayes.
EA Sports has unveiled a spot, "Fight Like Mike Tyson," to support the alliance. Multi-media marketing also will include Internet, social media and POP.
EA said that customers who pre-order the standard edition of EA Sports UFC 2 would get day-one access to “Iron” Mike Tyson. Those who go for the deluxe edition would receive both versions.
The are also available to unlock by progressing in the game.
According to Tyson, "As a huge fan, I’m honored to be part of EA Sports and explore the world of mixed martial arts. I follow UFC very closely and it’s going to be very cool to see how I would stack up against these amazing MMA athletes.”
Consumers who pre-order EA Sports UFC 2 can also get day-one access to two other legendary fighters: UFC Hall of Famer and three-time "King of Pancrase" Bas Rutten and Japanese MMA legend “The Gracie Hunter” Kazushi Sakuraba.
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