Of course, the game itself will get a debut trailer at tonight's Video Game Awards on Spike. But other than the gameplay, you now have the big news it will deliver.

GameStop Weekly Ad [Thanks Philip]

This image was posted on the EA Sports MMA Facebook page, letting mixed martial arts fans get their first look at EA Sports' take on the subject. We've yet to see the game in motion, but from a graphics standpoint alone it looks poised to give UFC a run for its video game money, potentially wrestling it to the floor and cuddling grappling it until it submits.

Aside from revealing that he's seen a playable build of EA's MMA title - which lacks the UFC license - Moore says:

I know there has been some recent discussion about EA SPORTS bringing a challenger to this sport. I love mixed martial arts, and we've been working on a game concept since I came to (sic) two years ago. I have great respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport's growth over the past decade – so this is one that is near and dear to me and I'm excited to see such good progress to date. I trace my MMA video game roots back to my support of Crave's UFC title on the Dreamcast in 2000, and have been a fan ever since. Our title will bring both innovation and further authenticity to mixed martial arts, not to mention a strong global publishing network that will help spread the sport's popularity around the world.

Note he mentions "respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport's growth over the past decade", without once addressing White's and the UFC's allegations that EA are showing anything but respect.

NCAA Football in Stores, First Look at MMA and More [EA]

White (pictured) says that back in the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, EA were dismissive of the fledgling competition, telling him "You're not a real sport. We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this".

Now, though? Now that the UFC is raking in the TV ratings and the mega bucks? "We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," he says. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game. Really? That's not what you told us a year-and-a-half ago."

In order to compete with THQ's smash hit title, EA will release their own mixed martial arts title, albeit one without the official blessing of the UFC. And in putting this game together, are looking to license real-world fighters, something that's going to have consequences not just on the battle between these two MMA video games, but for the UFC itself.

Why? Because the UFC boss says he has a clear message to any of his fighters looking to make a buck by appearing in EA's game: "You won't be in the UFC".

"I'm not tap-dancing around this thing or whatever," White says. "I'm telling you straight-up, I'm at war with [EA] right now. That's how I look at it".

"EA doesn't give a [expletive] about mixed martial arts. They made that very clear."

UFC president Dana White says EA Sports responsible for current MMA video game war [MMAjunkie]

"We're ready for the fight," EA Sports chief Peter Moore said in a press release. No other details were given regarding fighters, arenas and so forth.

Rival publisher THQ publishes games based on the world-famous UFC license.

The EA Sports MMA official site is mostly barren, for now.

Believe it or not, Guida - who has an enormous lion's mane stuck to his scalp - was apparently left out of the game due to technical concerns over his hair, which was causing major clipping and collision detection issues. Indeed, things apparently got so bad that THQ, the publishers of the game, offered him cash to cut his hair in real life, so they could trim his in-game model.

But Guida refused (good for him!), and so had to be left out of the game, because his character was borderline unplayable.

UFC 2009 Cuts Fighter Due To Hair Issues [Fight! Magazine, via GameSetWatch]

I'm more than willing to work with them, but I don't see why we have to give up our whole lives for this. Why not a time limit? If we did a 10-year deal with them, is that that unreasonable? I don't understand how this happened, honestly. It's tough.

Guy's got a point. If anything, a lifetime deal on the part of the UFC and HQ is being optimistic, about the future of either organisation.

No signature, no fighting [Sports Illustrated, via GameSpot]

Not my cup of tea, but I know how bent-out-of shape MMA enthusiasts get when you suggest the sport is anything less than the fastest growing sport in the world (I always imagine John Cusack in Say Anything: "Kickboxing: Sport of the future,") to say nothing of that "human cockfighting" label that never seems to go away. Still if you like squatting over another guy and jackhammering his skull off a virtual canvas, looks like it'll accommodate you nicely. And you don't have to do it as someone in the stable of UFC combatants. A deep "create-a-fighter" and career mode will make this almost a (wait for it ... wait for it) MMARPG.

Hit the jump for more details from Voodoo Extreme:

Authentic UFC Personalities - Explore a deep roster of more than 80 top names in UFC competition across five weight classes and enter the Octagon surrounded by the sport’s popular commentators, announcers, referees, trainers, Octagon girls and more.

Photorealistic Models and Effects – Experience the world of UFC as it appears on television with photorealistic fighters who breathe, sweat and move like their real-life counterparts. Players will also view amazing ripple effects across the faces and bodies of their fighters from the impact of devastating punches and kicks.

Constant Control – Gain the upper hand in matchups with a brand new ighting game engine designed specifically for next generation systems. Emphasis on innovative, responsive and easy-to-play controls will give players unparalleled command of their fighters in the Octagon.

Fighting Disciplines – Take down opponents and get the submission with a variety of mixed martial arts disciplines, including Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Create-a-Fighter – Jumpstart the career of a future champion by customizing your fighter’s physical appearance, learning new fighting techniques to use in the Octagon and managing the training process through attributes such as strength and cardiovascular health.

Career Mode – Develop attributes, perfect moves and fight for entry into the UFC Hall of Fame through a series of dynamic storylines that build friendships and instigate intense rivalries.

And the screens:

UFC 2009 Undisuputed Details & Screenshots [Voodoo Extreme]