According to IGN, THQ is releasing a demo for the upcoming UFC 2009 Undisputed for Xbox 360 and Playstation Network on April 23. The demo will allow gamers to step into the virtual octagon as either Chuck Liddel or Mauricio Rua. It will come with a tutorial mode, and a offline single player and multiplayer mode. Online bouts against other fighters around the world will have to wait until the game hits store shelves on May 19 in North America and May 22 in Europe.

UFC 2009 Unleashed is the first UFC game to be developed since UFC: Sudden Impact was released in 2004. In addition to a create-a-character option which will allow gamers to build their own fighter, UFC 2009 Undisputed features six different martial arts styles and has a roster of over 50 fighters, including Anderson Silva, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Forrest Griffin, Lyoto Machida, and more.

UFC 2009 Unleashed also sports a career mode and a classic fight mode that takes gamers back in the past to relive defining moments in UFC history.

The demo, which is being released to celebrate UFC 97 which takes place this weekend in Quebec, Canada, should give gamers a better idea of how Yuke’s Media Creations and THQ has emulated the mixed martial art sport which relies heavily on striking and grappling.

Yuke’s Media Creations and THQ are responsible for developing and publishing the WWF SmackDown vs Raw titles. Past UFC titles were developed by Crave Entertainment and Opus, and were generally poorly received by critics.