Avi Burk Covers the UFC 2009 Undisputed Launch Party/UFC 98

Last week THQ celebrated the launch of UFC 2009 Undisputed, the most successful launch in the company’s history, with several parties around the country, none bigger than the even held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas prior to UFC 98.

The Vegas launch party was held at The MGM Grand’s Tabu Ultra Lounge and was co-hosted by Tequila Cazadores, the official spirits sponsor of the UFC, which presented UFC 2009 Undisputed cover athlete Forrest Griffin with its first Authentic Spirit Award. Tequila Cazadores will continue to award an Authentic Spirit Award to one UFC fighter every month throughout its partnership with the UFC, culminating will culminate with the award-winner who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship, commitment to mixed martial arts and social responsibility being awarded a $10,000 check to benefit the charity of the fighter’s choice.

UFC President Dana White was on hand to present the inaugural award to Griffin, as well as to judge a mix-off between Griffin and a Tequila Cazadores representative. Fighter Amir Sadollah and THQ’s UFC Project Manager Neven Dravinski joined White at the judge’s table, where Griffin lost by decision. The party’s guest list also featured former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rampage Jackson, UFC play-by-play announcer Mike Goldberg, “The Voice of the Octagon” Bruce Buffer, and fighters Mike “Quick” Swick, Jon Fitch and Hermes Franca.

I had a chance to catch up with Griffin, who is truly thrilled to be the game’s cover athlete, and very pleased with his character’s rendering in the game.

“I’m stoked! That’s a good lookin’ dude, that video game guy. That guy could get laid,” joked Griffin, who is happily married. “My 17-year-old little brother, who doesn’t care about fighting at all, thinks it’s pretty cool that I’m on a video game.  That’s probably the best thing I’ve done in his book.”

Griffin also expressed his excitement about his upcoming fight with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva at UFC 101. Of course, you won’t have to wait until August to enjoy that showdown, as both fighters are available for play in the Light Heavyweight Division in UFC 2009 Undisputed.

“I’m excited. It’s a good fight for me. I’m fighting the best guy in the world – why not,” Griffin said lightheartedly. “Anderson’s boxing coach says that I’m a tailor-made opponent for him because I’m a big slow guy who’s going to follow him around. I’m going to have to change things up a little bit. I can’t be a big slow guy.”

American Kickboxing Academy teammates Swick and Fitch didn’t hesitate to pick up the controllers and have a go as their digital selves. Swick emerged victorious and was “Quick” to point out that he’d spent the previous week playing the game to hone his virtual skills, and that he’s sure the two will have a number of rematches once Fitch has had a chance to master the control scheme.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s so realistic. It’s still setting in that I’m on a game and that I can play as myself – it’s pretty crazy. They did a fantastic job and it looks just like me. My family and friends love it, so it’s a total success. I’m so proud of it,” Swick said. “The first time I played the game online I played against a kid that was using B.J. Penn and he ended up knocking me out and he was like, ‘Yeah! Take that Swick!’ and I was like, that guy’s probably got no idea that he’s actually talking to me. And, the game is so realistic that when I get beat-up or knocked out in the game that my heart skips a beat because it feels like I’m watching old fight footage or something.”

Swick’s only criticism of the game, which has been the talk of the gym lately, is that his trademark “Swickatine” choke.

“I asked the Yukes team (why they didn’t get the “Swickatine” in the game),” said Swick. ”I wanted to get that “Swickatine” in there, but maybe we’ll get it in the next one. I need to get another one in live combat and then hopefully they’ll put the “Swickatine” in the game.”

Fitch, to his credit, took the loss in stride, explaining that just like a real mixed martial arts fight, when you’re in the digital Octagon you’re both a teacher and a student, and that it’s important to come away from both wins and losses with an increased understanding of and appreciation for the sport.

“Going into a fight, you shouldn’t be looking at your opponent as an enemy. He’s your teacher, and he’s your student at the same time. Throughout that fight you’re going to teach him what he’s doing wrong and he’s going to teach you what you’re doing wrong, and, if you’re smart, you’re going to take those lessons to heart and you’re going to walk away from it a better fighter,” Fitch said.

Fitch was also outspoken when it came to gamers quitting ranked online fights when it looks like they’re certain to take a loss, simply saying, “If you aren’t going to play for real, don’t play at all.”

It should come as no surprise that Rampage, who has served as the inspiration for many gamers’ online handles, attacked the subject with less diplomacy.

“I’m gonna tell you, first of all, if ya’ll are going to use my name on the Xbox or anything, then ya’ll already posers right there. Put ‘Rampage Wannabe’ or ‘Rampage Fan’ or something like that, because I’m already on there with my real screen name,” the former champ explained.

“I’m not online right now because I just moved and I’m not one of those tech guys and I don’t know how to do it right now. I got to get my friend to come hook it up and I’m going to be back on there after I do this Ultimate Fighter show. And second, don’t be playing with me and quitting! Ya’ll be pissing me off, ya’ll fake-ass Rampages. I love the fans, but don’t be no fake-ass Rampage.”

Avi Burk is an avid MMA enthusiast and the former sports editor for IGN.

See more photos from the event here.