We have stepped into 2026, and there’s still no word yet from EA Sports on UFC 6. There’s no trailer, no launch window, nothing. UFC fans await the next installment in the series, but there’s just radio silence since the last installment dropped in 2023.
Even with all the rumors about bigger development teams and a few leaks here and there, the game’s still a total mystery as the new year kicks off. So let’s dive into what we know so far, and if we can expect a timeline soon.
UFC 5’s Legacy Sets Expectations
UFC 5 launched on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S with substantial improvement, thanks to the Frostbite engine. The gameplay was overhauled, and it sold well enough to greenlight a sequel on a fast track, as they did with UFC 4 to 5.
However, it still wasn’t flawless: players reported online lag, including stability issues, limited ground animations, and roster gaps for stars like Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Community consensus aligned well, with players calling for better submissions, better servers, and varied positions like 50/50 guard. Insider info suggests that EA took the feedback and put devs on notice for UFC 6.
Teases And Rumors Build Hype
The early hype for UFC’s next installment turned its engines on in 2025. Alex Pereira started dropping hints in his YouTube videos, visiting the UFC 6 development team to capture his motion data in one of the vlogs.
Insiders like Mike Straw said the game’s in full production now, with a bigger dev team and Jon Anik stepping in to handle UFC 6 commentary.
Leaks and rumors pointed towards a late 2025 release, lining up with UFC 5’s October launch in 2023, but nothing really stuck. With 2026 on the horizon, we’re still standing ducks when it comes to any details about the game from EA.
Why The Delay Hits Hard
Nobody really knows what’s going on behind the curtains, but fans have plenty of guesses. UFC’s new Paramount deal shook up event branding and even the look of the Octagon, which clashes with usual October releases. COVID had already messed up the schedule, stretching the gap between releases to over two years.
Past trends have shown a massive dip in sales when the game is not well-received, as we saw when UFC 4’s physical copies fell 47% from those of UFC 3 in the UK. As a result, there’s pressure on EA to get it right because if they don’t, they risk disappointing a niche fanbase of the sport.
Fans notice it too, and they’re worried if the production is stuck somewhere, and if there’s going to be recycled models or stalled features like elbows swapped for emotes.
2026 Outlook Stays Foggy
UFC 6 is in the works, that’s confirmed, but everyone’s still eyeing out for an official update. 2026 still feels like a question mark, and dragging the launch might fade the hype away. EA knows what’s at stake, and they’re expected to overcome UFC 5’s flaws with the new title.
Stay tuned, maybe Summer Game Fest is where details will be revealed. For now, the octagon waits empty.
