'Supremacy MMA' offers unique angle: women punching and kicking each other

(All rights reserved - 505 Games / Kung Fu Factory)

Reflecting the rise in popularity of Mixed Martial Arts, Supremacy MMA intends to ruffle the feathers of the EA Sports MMA and Undisputed video games, with its publisher 505 Games pleased as punch to announce that two real-life female fighters have signed up for the game's roster.

"I think it's perfect that this is the game that features women for the first time," said Michelle Guitterez, who has fought for the Xtreme Fighting Organization.

"This is our chance to finally show gamers that female fighters can hold their own," added Felice Herrig, another XFO pro.

MMA has been a tough nut to crack for video game developers. The sport's combination of multiple fighting styles, grapples and groundwork neccessitates an approach distinct from boxing games ( Fight Night Champion, The Fight: Lights Out) and wrestling titles ( Smackdown vs Raw, WWE All Stars).

Top names in the arcade fighting genre, such as Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Mortal Kombat, can swap martial art authenticity for super-powered special moves but the likes of Supremacy MMA can't afford such a trade-off.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's range of licensed games has advanced by leaps and bounds since the introduction of THQ's Undisputed series in 2009, and EA Sports MMA made a decent competitive debut in 2010.

Supremacy MMA's stated aim is that of raising the bar with an "unprecedented level of fast, fluid combat, intuitive controls and true-to-the-sport brutality."

There's certainly room for an ambitious new challenger - fighting fans will be able to see if it's got the goods come June 2011 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Find out more about the game at http://www.supremacymma.com.