UFC 2009: Undisputed headed for the Wii, PSP

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UFC 2009: Undisputed headed for the Wii, PSP

By Chris Parry,





A screen shot from UFC Undisputer, featuring light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida launching a superman punch against former champ Rashad Evans.



After confirming their new mixed martial arts video game title UFC 2009: Undisputed has sold nearly 3 million units for $60 each, video game developer THQ has announced they will bring the multi-platinum game to the Wii console and PSP handheld devices.

The game, originally developed and released on the Playstation 3 and Xbox consoles, has saved the struggling software company from almost certain bankruptcy, and execs at the firm don't plan on putting it to rest any time soon.

"We plan to launch games based on UFC on an annual basis and to build this franchise with new technology and game play, additional platforms and increase sales outside of North America as the UFC brand continues its global expansion, said THQ honcho Brian Farrell in an investor conference call Tuesday.

"Over time, we plan to build our UFC franchise by expanding international sales and by developing games on new platforms such as hand held's and the Nintendo Wii," he added.

Undisputed has expanded the Ultimate Fighting Championships reach to a new generation of consumers, serving not only as a cash cow, but also a canny marketing ploy. By allowing non-fans to learn the intricacies of the sport first-hand, viewership of UFC events has skyrocketed, with the recent UFC 100 drawing over 1.5 million pay-per-view subscribers at $60 each - and a full stadium of live fans for a $5.1 million gate.

Speculation is rampant that the UFC will announce a network TV deal in the days ahead after ESPN executives attended UFC 100 as guests of the president of the promotion, Dana White.

UFC is the premier global promoter of professional mixed martial arts events, which combine judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and other combat sports.

The organization has announced that it is seeking to bring an event to Vancouver in June 2010. Vancouver council is backing the effort.