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All one needs to do is compare the new screenshots for UFC 2009 to any of the screenshots from the old games and you'll see that the new game is leaps and bounds beyond its predecessors.

"Authentic, violent, and flat-out gorgeous, UFC 2009 Undisputed is one of the most impressive fighters we've ever seen," said GamePro's Sid Shuman.

Surprised? You shouldn't be considering the game is made by the folks at THQ and Yukes who are known for their quality work on the WWE's Smackdown! franchise.

Check out the screenshots I've compiled from past games and than compare them to the trailers from the upcoming title and see just how rediculous those games were and why UFC 2009 is going to be amazing, and maybe even better than EA's Fight Night Round 4.

Comparison after the jump.

First there was 2002's UFC Tapout for XBOX:

The game could not have been worse. You basically stood your fighter in front of your opponent, and mashed buttons until they fell down. Once they were down your only real option was to get on top and ground and pound them. Good luck trying to do a submission, you very rarely could. When you did they usually immediately gave up, and so did you when the computer got one on you. I know what you're thinking: it's shocking that a game developed by the company that made Bad Boys: Miami Takedown wasn't better.

Then we got 2002's UFC Throwdown for PS2:

All I'll say is...pink shoes? I can't respect a fighting game that features a fighter wearing pink shoes. That is all.

And since the first Tapout was so great, we were treated to another installment. Basically the same as the first with slightly better graphics and an updated and expanded roster. Awesome.

2003's Tapout 2 for XBOX:

2004's Sudden Impact for PS2:

The only good thing about Sudden Impact was that you got to punch Tito Ortiz in his giant fake head. Other than that it was still pretty much the same as the other games. Mash buttons and hope the computer falls down first.

So there ya go. In a 2 year span we were treated to 4 incredibly awful UFC games (unless you believe IGN's putrid reviews which gave them all no less than 7 out of 10). I'd like to take this opportunity to commend Crave Entertainment, Opus, TDK Mediactive and Global Star for all taking an incredibly methodical and exciting sport like MMA and creating such boring and rediculously unfun games. Great work guys, seriously.

These screenshots and 5 minutes of playing any of those games will clearly show you why I am so excited for UFC 2009 Undisputed. Experience any of those games and you will appreciate the following screen shot and videos even more.

The superman punch that never really works in the real UFC is devastating here

You can clearly see his mouthpiece fly out after taking a knee to the jaw

Yes the word "rocked" is used during this video...that's how you know it's legit

Um...if you got knee'd this hard you'd be dead...but not these professional fighters

Also don't forget check out the other short preview that is up on GamePro for UFC 2009 and pick up the May issue of Gamepro featuring UFC 2009 on the cover and a full analysis of the game inside.

I can't freakin' wait for this game. It's MMA done right...7 years later.