The playable demo for "UFC 2009 Undisputed" is now available for download for free through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Network.

Chuck Liddell and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua are the playable characters in the demo, which features a limited version of the tutorial mode.

"Fans around the world have been clamoring for a great UFC video game for quite some time," said UFC President Dana White. "We are pleased to offer a free sample of UFC 2009 Undisputed featuring two great athletes and competitors, Chuck Liddell and 'Shogun' Rua, prior to launch."

The same demo was available earlier this week, but was only for gamers with special pre-order codes.

"UFC 2009 Undisputed" is scheduled to hit stores May 19 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

EA Sports is already a dominant force in sports gaming but there's one sport they haven't tackled yet: mixed martial arts. If EA Sports boss Peter Moore has anything to say about it, though, they'll expand into MMA soon.

"Obviously we've got Fight Night -- we're incredibly excited about Fight Night -- but boxing, for me, sadly feels like it's the past of fighting and Mixed Martial Arts feels like it's the future of fighting," Moore told IGN at EA Sports' Season Opener on Thursday.

The fact that retired greats Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson are the cover athletes for Fight Night Round 4 does suggest that EA views the sport in a more historical or nostalgic light. The suggestion that boxing's best days are past might not sit well with fans but there's no indication that they'll abandon the Fight Night series.

As IGN notes, THQ currently has the video game license for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world, until 2011. You'd expect them to make a bid for the UFC license once that deal expires. Maybe EA will test the market by first releasing an MMA game without an official license.

Source: CinemaBlend.com

Mixed martial artists Randy Couture (picture) and Gina Carano was among the names announced today by EA Sports for its upcoming "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3" video game.

Here is the announcement:

The cast of Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 follows (in alphabetical order by last name): Gemma Atkinson (the UK's Hollyoaks), Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Hunt for Red October), Andrew Divoff (LOST), Kelly Hu (X2, The Scorpion King), Jenny McCarthy (Scream 3, former Playboy Playmate of the Year), Ivana Milicevic (Casino Royale), Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean), J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, Juno), Autumn Reeser (The OC), Peter Stormare (Prison Break, Armageddon), George Takei (Star Trek, Heroes), and two of the most recognizable names in competitive mixed martial arts Randy "The Natural" Couture (former UFC Heavyweight champion) and Gina "Conviction" Carano (Undefeated Elite XC fighter, American Gladiators).

"This is by far the most exciting cast we have in over 13 years of shooting live-action movies for Command & Conquer," said Chris Corry, executive producer at EALA. "The caliber of the performances we received, both individually and collectively, have really raised the storytelling bar for the franchise. We are really excited that we will be delivering such a high quality production that is on par with movies and television shows."

"Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3" is slated to hit the stores in the Fall for PC and Xbox.