Crave Entertainment, previewed its latest Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title, UFC : Throwdown, for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube today at the E3 Expo.

"UFC: Throwdown is the first "real fighting" game, for the Playstation 2 and Nintendo GameCube, that offers the raw, full contact mixed martial arts fighting found in the pay-per-view phenomenon known as Ultimate Fighting Championship," said Craig Owens, Senior Group Marketing Manager at Crave Entertainment. "Each version of Throwdown has its own subset of exclusive UFC fighters and both have the most in-depth create-a-fighter and career modes to date."

The "real fighting" genre, created by Crave in 2000, features actual UFC champions and all the real-life mixed martial arts moves they use in the Octagon. UFC: Throwdown has 28 announced fighters, including past and present UFC Champions such as Tito Ortiz and Jens Pulver. The game also includes four exclusive fighters per platform, such as former Welterweight Champion, Carlos Newton and Ricco Rodriguez.

The most realistic, jaw-dropping fighter entrances ever seen are viewed as the modern day gladiators enter the Octagon, and the detailed graphics don't stop there. The facial and body animations and special effects are so realistic that muscle movements and bloodstains can actually be seen.

UFC: Throwdown has several game modes: UFC Mode, Arcade Mode, Career Mode, Tournament and Training. In the ultra extensive Career Mode, the player is able to create and train a fighter. The increased variations in the create-a-fighter mode allow the player to customize the face, body, skin color, clothes, hairstyle, etc. Once created, the fighter can be trained using skill-up challenges and mini-tournaments. As the player works his way up the ranks, he will upgrade moves and master disciplines. Once he has what it takes to be a UFC fighter, he'll challenge seasoned UFC fighters and ultimately be on the Championship card.

Challenging friends to get it on in the Octagon continues to be a fan favorite. Once again, you can ground and pound in an eight-player Tournament Mode, which lets you set up single elimination, winner-takes-all matches where it's put up or shut up.

UFC: Throwdown is currently shipping for PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube in June 2002.