Alright, guys, let’s talk about clinching in UFC 5. I’ve been messing around with this for a while, and it’s trickier than it looks, but once you get the hang of it, you can really control the fight. So, I started by just jumping into a few quick fights, trying to figure out the timing.
Getting into the Clinch
First off, you gotta be close enough to your opponent. If you’re too far, you’ll just whiff. I spent a good chunk of time just practicing moving in and out of range, getting a feel for the distance. The basic clinch is initiated by using these keys:
- PS5: R1 + Square
- XBOX: RB + X
The animation of grabbing my opponent’s neck, or a collar tie, will play out to indicate the clinch attempt was successful.
Initially, I was spamming the buttons way too much. That doesn’t work. You need to be deliberate, almost like you’re waiting for the right moment to strike. I found that it’s best to try clinching after your opponent throws a strike, or when they’re moving towards you. That’s when they’re most vulnerable.
What to Do Once You’re Clinched
Once I actually got the clinch, I realized there’s a whole bunch of stuff you can do. I started experimenting with different moves:
- Knees: Simple, effective. Just press the strike buttons (Square or Triangle on PlayStation, X or Y on Xbox). I found mixing up knees to the body and head kept my opponent guessing.
- Elbows: These are nasty. Used L1/LB + strike button. These do a lot of damage, but they also leave you open, so I tried not to overuse them.
- Trips and Throws: This is where it gets really fun. I spent a lot of time in practice mode figuring out the different takedown options from the clinch. Each position (single collar, double underhooks, etc.) has different throws, and it’s all about learning the timing and button combinations. Use these keys:
- PS5: L2 + Square/Triangle
- XBOX: LT + X/Y
I learned that you can transition between different clinch positions. You can press the right stick, R3, to change your position, and each position opens up new possibilities. It’s like a little mini-game within the fight. I also started to get a better feel for defending against the clinch. Blocking is key, but timing your own strikes or takedown attempts can break the clinch and create openings.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Honestly, the biggest thing I learned is that it just takes practice. I went into the training mode and set the AI to just try and clinch me. This helped me get a feel for the timing and the different defensive options. I’d recommend spending at least an hour just practicing the clinch, both offensively and defensively.
It’s not the easiest thing to master, but once you get it down, it adds a whole new dimension to your game.
