While EA just released UFC 5 back in October of last year, if rumors are to be believed, the company is gearing up to announce another entry in the combat sports sim genre, and it’s one of the most popular dormant franchises the publisher has in its catalog, and it’s none other than a new Fight Night game.
According to Twitter account Combat eSports Media, their unnamed source states that a new Fight Game game will be announced this year. Not only that, but current pro boxers Jaron Ennis and Raymond Ford are already on board, which we presume to mean that both signed with EA to have their likeness appear in the game.
BREAKING🚨
Sources Tell Us That EA Is Planning To Announce A Fight Night Game THIS YEAR! Boxers Like Jaron Ennis and Raymond Ford Are Already On Board😳 pic.twitter.com/akMoH7QsaA
— Combat eSports Media (@CombatESportsM) April 9, 2024
Now what adds a bit of validity to this rumor is that apparently, Ford reposted the claims in his own Instagram:
Obviously cannot reveal the source but here’s Raymond Ford himself confirming the post pic.twitter.com/YNInKg7aVJ
— Combat eSports Media (@CombatESportsM) April 10, 2024
At the time of this publication, the story has expired, but there is a screengrab which is available above. Ford’s repost seems to indicate the claims are true. Either that or the boxer just wants to repost stuff with their name on it, though that seems highly unlikely.
Further adding fuel to the fire, legendary boxer Oscar De La Hoya also mentioned that a “huge announcement” is on the way soon, and it involves the “gaming sector.”
Wow time flies. Best selling boxing game ever! Over 6 million copies sold. Huge announcement soon regarding game sector. pic.twitter.com/6MGTPHaWGa
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) February 21, 2024
Given De La Hoya’s star power, the chances of the former champ being signed by EA to appear in a new Fight Night game is very likely, and if he has indeed signed something or saw something pertaining to its production, then that would explain the tweet and its definitive tone.
Of course, none of this has been confirmed, and should be taken as a rumor for now. We’ve reached out to EA regarding this rumor, and if we hear anything back, we’ll update the article with the info.
Fight Night’s first entry was released back in 2004 for the PS2 and Xbox, with the last franchise release being Fight Night Champion back in 2011 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. If this rumor rings true, then it would present a major revival for the boxing franchise after close to 15 years of being dormant. Let’s hope that if a new Fight Night is indeed announced, that it won’t be encumbered by live service and microtransction elements.
Speaking of revivals, EA recently shot down rumors that Motive has canned the planned Dead Space 2 remake due to low sales of the Dead Space remake released last year/