Want to master UFC 4? Whether you’re fighting on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X, this guide has every control you need—striking, clinching, takedowns, submissions, and more. Updated for 2025, it’s your go-to reference for dominating in the Octagon.
In the UFC 4 striking controls below, L and R represent the left and right analogue sticks on either console controller. The controls of L3 and R3 are triggered by pressing the left or right analogue.
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UFC 4 Stand-up Movement Controls
These are the general movement controls that you need to know for moving your fighter around in the octagon while they’re still on their feet.
| Stand-up Fighting Controls | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Fighter Movement | L | L |
| Head Movement | R | R |
| Taunts | D-pad | D-pad |
| Switch Stance | R3 | R3 |
UFC 4 Striking Attack and Defense Controls
If you want to exchange strikes with your opponent, you’ll need to know how to throw the attacks as well as defend against the potential knockout blows.
READ MORE: UFC 4: Complete Striking Guide, Tips and Tricks for Stand-up Fighting
| Striking (Attack and Defense) | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Lead Jab | Square | X |
| Back Cross | Triangle | Y |
| Lead Hook | L1 + Square | LB + X |
| Back Hook | L1 + Triangle | LB + Y |
| Lead Uppercut | Square + X | X + A |
| Back Uppercut | Triangle + O | Y + B |
| Lead Leg Kick | X | A |
| Back Leg Kick | Circle | B |
| Lead Body Kick | L2 + X | LT + A |
| Back Body Kick | L2 + O | LT + B |
| Lead Head Kick | L1 + X | LB + A |
| Back Head Kick | L1 + O | LB + B |
| Body Strike Modifier | L2 | LT |
| Strike Modifier | L1 / R1 / L1 + R1 | LB / RB / LB + RB |
| Lead Overhand | R1 + Square (hold) | RB + X (hold) |
| Back Overhand | R1 + Triangle (hold) | RB + Y (hold) |
| High Block/Feint Strike | R2 | RT |
| Low Block | L2 + R2 | LT + RT |
| Leg Catch | L2 + R2 (timed) | L2 + R2 (timed) |
| Minor Lunge | L (flick) | L (flick) |
| Major Lunge | L1 + L | LT + L |
| Pivot Lunge | L1 + R | LT + R |
| Signature Evade | L1 + L (flick) | LT + L (flick) |
UFC 4 Advanced Striking Controls
Looking to add a little more flair to your strike game? See if your fighter can pull off these incredible moves.
In the controls below, you’ll find out how to do the superman punch, jumping roundhouse, tornado kick, spinning elbow, flying knee, and all of the other flashy moves that you’ve seen in the octagon.
| Advanced Strike | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Lead Question Mark Kick | L1 + X (hold) | LB + A (hold) |
| Back Question Mark Kick | L1 + O (hold) | LB + B (hold) |
| Lead Body Front Kick | L2 + R1 + X (tap) | LT + RB + A (tap) |
| Back Body Front Kick | L2 + R1 + O (tap) | LT + RB + B (tap) |
| Lead Spinning Heel Kick | L1 + R1 + Square (hold) | LB + RB + X (hold) |
| Back Spinning Heel Kick | L1 + R1 + Triangle (hold) | LB + RB + Y (hold) |
| Back Body Jump Spin Kick | L2 + X (hold) | LT + Square (hold) |
| Lead Body Switch Kick | L2 + O (hold) | LT + B (hold) |
| Lead Front Kick | R1 + X (tap) | RB + A (tap) |
| Back Front Kick | R1 + O (tap) | RB + B (tap) |
| Lead Leg Side Kick | L2 + R1 + Square (tap) | LT + RB + X (tap) |
| Back Leg Oblique Kick | L2 + R1 + Triangle (tap) | LT + RB + Y (tap) |
| Lead Body Spin Side Kick | L2 + L1 + X (hold) | LT + LB + A (hold) |
| Back Body Spin Side Kick | L2 + L1 + O (hold) | LT + LB + B (hold) |
| Lead Body Side Kick | L2 + L1 + X (tap) | LT + LB + A (tap) |
| Back Body Side Kick | L2 + L1 + O (tap) | LT + LB + B (tap) |
| Lead Head Side Kick | R1 + Square + X (tap) | RB + X + A (tap) |
| Back Head Side Kick | R1 + Triangle + O (tap) | RB + Y + B (tap) |
| Two-Touch Spinning Side Kick | L2 + R1 + Square (hold) | LT + RB + X (hold) |
| Lead Jumping Switch Kick | R1 + O (hold) | RB + B (hold) |
| Back Jumping Switch Kick | R1 + X (hold) | RB + A (hold) |
| Back Head Spin Side Kick | L1 + R1 + X (hold) | LB + RB + A (hold) |
| Lead Head Spin Side Kick | L1 + R1 + O (hold) | LB + RB + B (hold) |
| Lead Crane Kick | R1 + O (hold) | RB + B (hold) |
| Back Crane Kick | R1 + X (hold) | RB + A (hold) |
| Lead Body Crane Kick | L2 + R1 + X (hold) | LT + RB + A (hold) |
| Back Body Crane Kick | L2 + R1 + O (hold) | LT + RB + B (hold) |
| Lead Hook | L1 + R1 + X (tap) | LB + RB + A (tap) |
| Back Hook | L1 + R1 + O (tap) | LB + RB + B (tap) |
| Lead Elbow | R2 + Square (tap) | RT + X (tap) |
| Back Elbow | R2 + Triangle (tap) | RT + Y (tap) |
| Lead Spinning Elbow | R2 + Square (hold) | RT + X (hold) |
| Back Spinning Elbow | R2 + Triangle (hold) | RT + Y (hold) |
| Lead Superman Jab | L1 + Square + X (tap) | LB + X + A (tap) |
| Back Superman Punch | L1 + Triangle + O (tap) | LB + Y + B (tap) |
| Lead Tornado Kick | R1 + Square + X (hold) | RB + X + A (hold) |
| Back Cartwheel Kick | R1 + Triangle + O (hold) | RB + Y + B (hold) |
| Lead Axe Kick | L1 + R1 + X (tap) | LB + RB + A (tap) |
| Back Axe Kick | L1 + R1 + O (tap) | LB + RB + B (tap) |
| Lead Spinning Backfist | L1 + R1 + Square (tap) | LB + RB + X (tap) |
| Back Spinning Backfist | L1 + R1 + Triangle (tap) | LB + RB + Y (tap) |
| Ducking Roundhouse | R1 + Triangle + O (tap) | RB + Y + B (tap) |
| Lead Jumping Roundhouse | L1 + Square + X (hold) | LB + X + A (hold) |
| Back Jumping Roundhouse | L1 + Triangle + O (hold) | LB + Y + B (hold) |
| Body Handplant Roundhouse | L2 + R1 + Triangle (hold) | LT + RB + Y (hold) |
| Lead Knee | R2 + X (tap) | RT + A (tap) |
| Back Knee | R2 + O (tap) | RT + B (tap) |
| Lead Flying Switch Knee | R2 + X (hold) | RT + A (hold) |
| Lead Flying Knee | R2 + O (hold) | RT + B (hold) |
UFC 4 Grappling Takedown Controls
Fancy taking the battle to the ground, or need to know how to defend against a grapple-happy foe? These are the grappling controls that you need to know.
| Grappling Takedowns | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Single Leg | L2 + Square | LT + X |
| Double Leg | L2 + Triangle | LT + Y |
| Power Single Leg Takedown | L2 + L1 + Square | LT + LB + X |
| Power Double Leg Takedown | L2 + L1 + Triangle | LT + LB + Y |
| Driving Takedowns | L (left, up, right) | L (left, up, right) |
| Defend Driving Takedowns | L (match opponent) | L (match opponent) |
| Single Collar Clinch | R1 + Square | RB + X |
| Defend Takedown | L2 + R2 | LT + RT |
| Defend Clinch | R (flick any direction) | R (flick any direction) |
UFC 4 Ground Grappling Controls
Many of the greatest mixed martial artists of all-time have earned their place by mastering the ground game. It’s a necessary part of UFC 4 combat, so be sure to know how to manage the contest should it go to the mat.
READ MORE: UFC 4: Complete Takedown Guide, Tips and Tricks for Takedowns
| Ground Grappling | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Advanced Transition/GNP Modifier | L1 + R (any direction) | LB + R (any direction) |
| Grapple Stick | R | R |
| Get Up | L (flick upwards) | L (flick upwards) |
| Submission | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Ground and Pound | L (flick right) | L (flick right) |
| Grapple Assist Alternate | L1 + R (up, left, right) | LB + R (up, left, right) |
| Defend Transitions, Sweeps, and Get Ups | R2 + R (up, left, or right) | RT + R (up, left, or right) |
| Reversals | R2 + R (any direction) | RT + R (any direction) |
| Transition | R | R |
| Advanced Positions | L1 + R | LB + R |
| Submission Attempts | L2 + R | LT + R |
| Head Movement | R (left and right) | R (left and right) |
| Post Defense | L1 + R (left and right) | LB + R (left and right) |
UFC 4 Ground and Pound Controls
Once you’ve sent your opponent to the mat, it’s time for the ground and pound controls to come into play.
Equally, if you find your fighter needing to defend themselves on the mat, the UFC 4 ground and pound defense controls are also listed below.
| Ground and Pound Control | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Head Movement | R (left and right) | R (left and right) |
| High Block | R2 (tap) | RT (tap) |
| Low Block | L2 +R2 (tap) | LT + RT (tap) |
| Body Modifier | L2 (tap) | LT (tap) |
| Defense Post | L1 + R (left and right) | L1 + R (left and right) |
| Lead Body Knee | X (tap) | A (tap) |
| Back Body Knee | O (tap) | B (tap) |
| Lead Elbow | L1 + R1 + Square (tap) | LB + RB + X (tap) |
| Back Elbow | L1 + R1 + Triangle (tap) | LB + RB + Y (tap) |
| Lead Straight | Square (tap) | X (tap) |
| Back Straight | Triangle (tap) | Y (tap) |
| Lead Hook | L1 + Square (tap) | LB + X (tap) |
| Back Hook | L1 + Triangle (tap) | LB + Y (tap) |
UFC 4 Clinching Controls
The clinch has become an essential part of UFC 4, so you’ll need to get to grips with these clinching controls.
READ MORE: UFC 4: Complete Clinch Guide, Tips and Tricks to Clinching
| Clinch | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Takedown/Submission Modifier | L2 | LT |
| Advanced Transition Modifier | L1 | LB |
| Rotate, Push and Pull Opponent / Transitions on Cage | L | L |
| Grapple Stick | R | R |
| Lead Punch | Square | X |
| Back Punch | Triangle | Y |
| Lead Leg Knee | X | A |
| Back Leg Knee | O | B |
| Lead Body Knee | L2 + X (tap) | LT + A (tap) |
| Back Body Knee | L2 + O (tap) | LT + B (tap) |
| Lead Head Knee | L1 + X (tap) | LB + A (tap) |
| Back Head Knee | L1 + O (tap) | LB + B (tap) |
| Strike Modifier | R1 | RB |
| High Block | R2 | RT |
| Low Block | L2 + R2 | LT + RT |
| Single/Double Leg Modifier | L (flick) | L (Flick) |
| Advance Position | R1 + Square R1 + Triangle | RB + X RB + Y |
| Trip/Throw | R1 + X / R1 + Circle | RB + A / RB + B |
| Submissions | L2 + R1 + Square/Triangle | LT + RB + X/Y |
| Defend Takedowns/Trips/Throws | L2 + R2 | LT + RT |
| Defend Submission | R2 | RT |
| Single/Double Leg Defense Modifier | L (flick) | L (flick) |
| Defend Flying Submissions | R2 | RT |
| Flying Submissions | L2 + R1 + Square/Triangle (tap) | LT + RB + X/Y (tap) |
| Clinch Escape | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Lead Hook | L1 + Square (tap) | LB + X (tap) |
| Back Hook | L1 + Triangle (tap) | LB + Y (tap) |
| Lead Uppercut | Square + X (tap) | X + A (tap) |
| Back Uppercut | Triangle + O (tap) | Y + B (tap) |
| Lead Elbow | L1 + R1 + Square (tap) | LB + RB + X (tap) |
| Back Elbow | L1 + R1 + Triangle (tap) | LB + RB + Y (tap) |
UFC 4 Submissions Controls
Ready to move from a clinch into a submission attempt on UFC 4? These are the controls that you need to know.
Read More: UFC 4: Complete Submissions Guide, Tips and Tricks for Submitting Your Opponent
| Submission | PS4 / PS5 Controls | Xbox One / Series X Controls |
| Securing the Submission | Move between L2+R2 depending on the scenario | Move between LT+RT depending on the scenario |
| Armbar (full guard) | L2+L (flick down) | LT+L (flick down) |
| Kimura (half guard) | L2+L (flick left) | LT+L (flick left) |
| Armbar (top mount) | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Kimura (side control) | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Securing the Submission | Move between L2+R2 depending on the scenario | Move between LT+RT depending on the scenario |
| Armbar (full guard) | L2+L (flick down) | LT+L (flick down) |
| Guillotine (full guard) | L2+L (flick upwards) | LT+L (flick upwards) |
| Arm Triangle (half guard) | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Rear-Naked Choke (back mount) | L2+L (flick down) | LT+L (flick down) |
| North-South Choke (north-south) | L (flick left) | L (flick left) |
| Striking (when prompted) | Triangle, O, X, or Square | Y, B, A, or X |
| Slam (while submitting, when prompted) | Triangle, O, X, or Square | Y, B, A, or X |
| Flying Triangle (from over-under clinch) | L2+R1+Triangle | LT+RB+Y |
| Back Rear-Naked Choke (from clinch) | L2+R1+Square / Triangle | LT+RB+X / Y |
| Standing Guillotine (from single-under clinch) | L2+R1+Square, Square/Triangle | LT+RB+X, X/Y |
| Flying Omoplata (from over-under clinch) | L2+R1+Square | LT+RB+X |
| Flying Armbar (from collar tie clinch) | L2+R1+Square/Triangle | LT+RB+X/Y |
| Von Flue Choke (when prompted during opponent’s attempt to Guillotine Choke from Full Guard) | Triangle, O, X, or Square | Y, B, A, or X |
The UFC 4 controls feature a great many moves for you to pull in attack and defense: master them all to conquer the mixed martial arts game.
Looking for More UFC 4 Guides?
UFC 4: Complete Clinch Guide, Tips and Tricks to Clinching
UFC 4: Complete Submissions Guide, Tips and Tricks for Submitting Your Opponent
UFC 4: Complete Striking Guide, Tips and Tricks for Stand-up Fighting
UFC 4: Complete Grapple Guide, Tips and Tricks to Grappling
UFC 4: Complete Takedown Guide, Tips and Tricks for Takedowns
UFC 4: Best Combinations Guide, Tips and Tricks for Combos
UFC 4 Controls Guide – FAQ
How do I perform takedowns in UFC 4 using PS4 or PS5 controls?
To execute a single-leg takedown, press L2 + Square; for a double-leg takedown, press L2 + Triangle. Power versions require an additional L1 input. These UFC 4 controls work the same on PS4 and PS5.
What’s the control for submissions in UFC 4 on Xbox Series X?
In UFC 4, submission attempts typically involve using the L stick in combination with triggers. For example, a rear-naked choke from back mount uses LT + L (flick down). Submission control inputs vary based on position and scenario.
Are there different UFC 4 striking controls for PS4 and Xbox One?
No, the UFC 4 striking controls are functionally identical across consoles—only the button labels differ (e.g., Square on PS4 equals X on Xbox). Moves like lead hook and back head kick use the same combos regardless of platform.
What’s the difference between basic and advanced UFC 4 controls?
Basic UFC 4 controls cover core actions like movement, strikes, and blocks. Advanced controls add flashy techniques such as spinning elbows, flying knees, or superman punches, which usually combine R1/L1 + button holds.
Can I defend against takedowns and submissions in UFC 4?
Yes. Takedown defense is usually L2 + R2 (PS) or LT + RT (Xbox). Submission defense involves flicking the R stick to counter transitions or escape submission attempts.
How do I clinch in UFC 4 and control my opponent?
Use R1 + Square (PS) or RB + X (Xbox) to initiate a single collar clinch. Movement during clinch control is done via the L stick, while strike modifiers and position advances use L1/R1 or LB/RB.
What is the ground and pound control setup in UFC 4?
To deliver ground strikes, use the Square/Triangle (PS) or X/Y (Xbox) buttons while in top position. Modify your strikes using L2 for body shots or L1/R1 for more advanced elbow strikes. Defending uses R2 and movement via the R stick.
