"EA Sports MMA," the debut entry into the world of mixed martial arts video games from gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA), dropped for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 back on Oct. 19, 2010, featuring the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion as the official "Premiere League."

The general consensus from Online reviews was that EA Sports MMA was a good, but not great, video game.

And apparently "good" just isn't "good enough," according to Cowen & Company analyst Doug Creutz (via CVG.com):

"EA is likely to back out of the mixed martial arts genre after its debut offering, EA Sports MMA, made a poor start at retail ... EA's recently released 'MMA' appears to be more or less DOA at retail, while UFC recently announced an extension of its license with THQ, likely putting an end to EA's efforts to expand into the mixed martial arts genre," the analyst said in a research note this morning."

That has to give UFC President Dana White a certain sense of satisfaction based on his history with EA.

White had a very public war of words back in 2009 after he accused the gaming giant of turning down his offer for a video game partnership only to then create one of their own after the massive success of THQ's "UFC Undisputed 2009."

Not coincidentally, THQ recently extended its agreement with the UFC through 2018.

That's not to suggest that it's all wine and roses after renewing their vows. Sales of UFC Undisputed 2010, while strong, haven't been able to meet the lofty expectations that THQ set heading into the fiscal year.

That may change if they have no competition to worry about moving forward.

Does the Zuffa monopoly continue? Or is it just a question of EA failing to deliver a game that can match or exceed the standards of "UFC Undisputed?"

What's your take, Maniacs?