UFC: Throwdown is based on the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), mixed martial arts sports. The game places you in the position as a real-world fighter, utilizing various fighting styles, such as Freestyle, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Ju Jitsu, etc. Each fighter has a variety of real-life moves, in different categories. There are punches, kicks, grapples and takedowns. There are also ways of making your opponent submit, or "tapout", to gain a victory.
Gameplay involves performing realistic combos, using a combination of punches, kicks, and other moves. You can perform a 1-2-3-4 punch combo, or a punch-punch-kick, or any variation of those. The game features over twenty-five fighters, each based on real-life UFC fighters, as well as authentic fighter entrances and voices.