Topps - UFC

Gold Found in Illinois!

2010-04-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that Alfonso Rodriguez of Melrose Park, IL, was the first Topps UFC Main Event collector to find the highly sought after card featuring autographs from Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Dana White.

Alfonso and a guest will be heading out to Las Vegas to join Dana White at the UFC Training Center to watch a preliminary fight during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter season 12.

Collectors that find one of the remaining 9 cards are still eligible to redeem the card for a set of UFC fight gloves signed by White, Liddell, and Ortiz by emailing UFCprize@topps.com.

Congrats to Alfonso on winning "The Ultimate Prize!"

The Ultimate Foto: Season 11

2010-04-14T08:37:00.001-07:00

Well, season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter is underway on Spike and it looks like this season will be full of action, surprises and great fights.

Topps was once again at the UFC Training Facility for the start of the season for our latest photo shoot with the new competitors and coaches. Everyone seemed to enjoy the process of making what are essentially the 14 fighters’ rookie cards.

Below are scans of the autographed cards for the first 2 fighters to match up, Clayton McKinney and Kyle Noke.

These cards will be showing up in packs in a future Topps UFC release.

Recent Box Break with UFC Fighters and MMAdiehards.com

2010-04-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hector Castro of MMAdiehards.com, the new internet source for all things MMA, joined me in the Topps office recently. He was nice enough to bring along AMA Fight Club owner and head trainer Mike Constantino and AMA Fight Club members and UFC fighters Jim Miller and Charlie "The Spaniard" Brennaman. Jim and his brother Dan are featured in 2010 UFC Main Event and Charlie is sure to be featured in an upcoming Topps release.

Click the video above to watch the break, see what we pulled, and learn how to win the cool cards we received.

Q & A With Dan "Punkass" Caldwell & Tim "Skyscrape" Katz

2010-03-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

Dan "Punkass" Caldwell and Tim "Skyscrape" Katz from Tapout stopped by the Topps offices today and were nice enough to answer a few questions for us.

Back when you started Tapout, MMA was nearly unheard of in the mainstream and not nearly as popular as it is today. What has been the biggest reason for MMA's increasing popularity in recent years?

DC: It goes back to the gladiator days. People just love to watch a fight. It appeals to the most basic human instincts. It's man versus man and let's see who wins. It's as pure a sport as you're going to get. You don't have to know the rules to get into it. You can turn on a fight and watch it and understand what is going on. There are rules, but it's really only the fighters who have to understand them. The reason why baseball and American football haven't necessarily caught on overseas is that there are so many rules and if you don't understand them it's hard to get into the game.

TK: Yeah, like in football for example, if you don't get all of the first downs and all of penalties and everything it takes away from your ability to enjoy the game. But a fight is simple. It's easy. If a fight breaks out on the street, you're watching. Hell, if a fight breaks out in the stands at a UFC event, everyone is going to turn their heads and watch.

Do you think MMA will continue to gain popularity over time, or will it eventually level out and remain a niche sport?

DC: I think that 10-15 years down the line we'll see MMA highlights on ESPN just as often as we see basketball or whatever. By then, we'll see kids who have been training in MMA since they were 5 years old fighting and the stuff they will be able to do will blow away what guys are doing now. We haven't seen guys who have been training in MMA as a complete sport for 20 years yet. We see guys who have been wrestling for that long, or boxing, but they haven't been folding all of those elements into MMA for that long. It's even been only in the past 2 years or so that you're starting to see gyms that teach Tae Kwon Do or something like that are now offering MMA training. We're on the ground floor of MMA right now, and as you see kids that have been training in MMA like kids train in football or basketball, you'll see the sport evolve.

What is your take on the fights this weekend (UFC 111)?

TK: Well George St. Peirre is a freaking monster. Everybody wonders why Dan Hardy is getting a title shot, but it's because he's been knocking everybody out. He'll have to avoid GSP's takedowns to win.

DC: I don't know if he'll (Hardy) be able to avoid takedowns. He'll probably have to figure out a way to survive on the ground.

TK: And in the Mir/Carwin fight, Mir is going to try to takedown and submit Carwin because I'm not sure Mir can stand up and trade punches with Carwin.

(For Dan) You are a big collector. What are your favorite cards to collect and which cards mean the most to you?

DC: I've always liked the pioneers. Babe Ruth. Ty Cobb. I recently purchased the 1909 American Tobacco Ty Cobb with the red background. I love Jack Johnson. I have just about every single card of his that was ever made. Jackie Robinson. The pioneers. The guys who maybe didn't know it at the time they were doing it, but they paved the way in their sports and made them what they are today. You know, maybe to them they weren't out to change anything, they were just making a living and making something of themselves. It was pure then. That's what I like, the purity of those early guys. To bring it back around to MMA, that's where we are right now in our sport. People will look back on MMA in 100 years and look at the guys who are fighting today the same way we look at Ty Cobb or Jack Johnson. That's why I love where we're at in our sport right now. I'm just trying to soak it all in. This is our sport in it's purist form, and I'm really enjoying it.

Sit with the Boss!

2010-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Straight from Dana White's Twitter feed:

New Topps UFC trading cards on shelf, be 1st to find this hot card and sit cageside with me. Details http://topps.com/ufc/

Beckett Box Break for UFC Main Event

2010-02-24T06:13:00.000-08:00

Click below to see what Tracy and Brian think of the newest release and the interesting cards they pulled!

Sherdog Radio w/ Bruce Buffer

2010-02-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

I will be on Sherdog Radio with Bruce Buffer today (2/23) at 5:45pm EST to talk about the Main Event cards, discussing some of the new things collectors can find in packs, as well as give away a box to a lucky listener.

To listen go here: http://www.sherdog.com/radio/

The First Review Is In!

2010-02-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Be sure to check out the first review on the 'net of UFC Main Event with scans of some of the cards they pulled and their thoughts on the new set.

Beckett.com – MMA Card News, Reviews and Videos

UFC Main Event release date: still 2/24/10

2010-02-01T11:13:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post the official release date here on the blog since it seems there has been some chatter on other boards and between collectors.

The official street date for UFC Main Event is still Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

If you have questions about the product please post them below.

The one card you will not find in Topps UFC Main Event

2010-01-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

Topps UFC main Event is stacked with cool cards! First time auto relic cards from Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, Josh Koscheck, along with Topps Chrome Autographed Jumbo Mat Relic cards from Anderson Silva and not to mention the first time you will be able to get cards with actual Octagon cage pieces.

The one card you will not find in Topps UFC Main Event is a redemption card!

Be on the look out for these and many more exciting Topps UFC cards in stores next month.

The Main Event

2010-01-13T11:12:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the lack on new posts. I have been trying to answer reader questions in the comment sections in the meantime while working to get the next batch of cards off to the printer and out into stores.

There has been a change in the product name, but the content has remained the same. Same amount of autos and memorabilia cards per box, same inserts, etc.

Above is a picture of the new hobby box so you will know what you are looking for come the end of February.

"2010 Topps UFC Uncaged" Preview

2009-11-09T06:08:00.001-08:00

2010 Topps UFC Uncaged is the third trading card release planned to bring MMA fans and card collectors even closer to the action. We expect this product to hit the shelves in early 2010.

Hobby boxes will have 5 hits (2 autos and 3 relics). Our newest relic will be pieces of the actual UFC Octagon that was used in PPVs, Fight Nights, and TUF Finales.

Below is just a sample of some of the base, auto, and relic cards we have planned. Please let me know what you think.

UFC Fighter Base Card

UFC Debut Base Card

UFC Fighter Red Parrallel

UFC Debut Gold Parrallel

UFC Fighter Auto

TUF Tribute Insert Card

UFC Authentic Cage Relic

UFC Fighter Auto Relic

UFC Mat Relic

UFC Fighter Relic

CHROME Triple Threat Relic

(Mat/Fighter Gear/Cage)

CHROME Dual Auto Dual Relic

Win Free 2009 Topps UFC cards

2009-10-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hector at MMAmadness.com are having a contest to win free 2009 Topps UFC cards.

For more info on how to win, check out the always infomative MMAmadness.com here:
http://www.mmamadness.com/2009/10/mma-madness-and-topps-trading-cards-team-up/

News, notes, and comments

2009-10-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Now that the first boxes are on store shelves I just wanted to post some answers to questions we have been receiving.

Product should be showing up at Targets and Walmarts very soon. Sometimes it takes a little longer for the cards to hit the shelves in the bigger retailers. The retail boxes will also be for sale at the Topps.com store soon as well. They are just waiting to get their shipment from our warehouse.

Bloodlines and Ultimate Gear Auto Relic cards are limited to 25 per subject regardless of ink color. Red ink autos are no more rare than blue ink autos for these two inserts. The difference in ink colors was strictly based on in-house inventory.

Another special unannounced auto card can now be revealed. While signing at the UFC gym for the TUF 10 cards Kimbo Slice signed a few cards with his birth name (Kevin Ferguson). These cards are the rarest in the bunch.

Please continue to post your questions, comments, and suggestions below. Tell us what you liked, what you didn't like, and what you think is missing. We are busy planning the next UFC release now and are always looking for ways to improve it.

1st Box Busted!

2009-09-24T06:21:00.001-07:00

Once again Beckett gets the honor of posting the first box of 2009 Topps UFC and Tracy and Bryan do not disappoint as both knowledgeable and entertaining hosts.

WE ARE LIVE!

2009-09-23T06:04:00.001-07:00

It's true folks. After several delays, cases of the 2009 Topps UFC trading cards are leaving the warehouse and are out to stores in time to hit the street date of September 30th.

For a look at some of the cards and the first review click here: http://beta.beckett.com/group/475770/?tab=tabArticles&p=810608#ViewArticle

The Ultimate Foto comparisons

2009-09-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Randomly inserted in the 2009 Topps UFC trading card packs, collectors will find signed cards from the participants in seasons 9 and 10 of The Ultimate Fighter.

The fighters also received copies of their cards as souvenirs to keep, trade, give to their friends and family, etc. These cards were not signed in the presence of Topps or UFC representatives and therefor can not be authenticated as such. Topps also does not place any hologram stickers on the cards front or back.

Below are side-by-side comparisons of both the Topps Issue (top) and Fighter Issue (bottom) for both TUF 9 and TUF 10. Please note the "Topps Certified Autograph Issue" above the fighter autographs. Also note that "Topps File Copy" does not appear on the front of the actual Fighter issue cards.

2009 Topps UFC Update

2009-08-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Due to several factors we have been forced to push back the release of 2009 Topps UFC. It will now ship out on September 21st.

The silver lining to this delay is that it has given us the ability to include autograph cards from all 16 competitors from the upcoming TUF 10 season in addition to the already announced TUF 9 fighters. These subjects include Kimbo Slice, Roy Nelson, Marcus Jones, Justin Wren, Mike Wessell, and many more.

These cards will be additional autos found in packs, meaning that some boxes can contain more than the promised 2 auto cards!

Below are samples of the cards. Let me know what you think.

New Video with new surprise

2009-08-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the new video about the upcoming 2009 Topps UFC release on our other page: www.topps.com/ufc

There is a "heavy" addition to the product. ;)

Let me know what you think.

UFC is coming to eTopps!

2009-07-08T14:16:00.001-07:00

Fan Expo Part 2

2009-07-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the prior post Arianny will be handing out signed copies of her Topps UFC Round 1 Trading Card at our booth to the first 75 people to purchase the complete set of patch cards.

Below are some shots of the lovely Octagon Girl signing the cards.

We can't wait to see you all at Booth 707 on Friday!

UFC Fan Expo

2009-07-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates here. We have been very busy preparing for the release of 2009 Topps UFC and getting things together for the upcoming UFC Fan Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 10th and 11th.

We will be selling special limited edition commemorative patch cards of Chuck Liddell, GSP, and Brock Lesnar. Samples can be found below.

The first 75 people to purchase the complete set of 3 will also receive an autographed UFC Round 1 card of Arianny Celeste. She will be at our booth to meet with all 75 lucky customers on Saturday, July 11th, at 2:15pm.

Bruce Buffer will be appearing at our booth on Friday, July 10th, at 12:00pm. He will be signing and taking photos with fans in attendance.

In addition to these special cards for sale and personal appearances we will be distributing sample packs of our latest release, 2009 Topps UFC.

Be sure to stop by and say hello. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

More cards, photos, and video

2009-05-29T13:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the delay guys. We have been busy in the office putting the final touches on the 2009 Topps UFC cards.

Below are images of the final 4 TUF 9 contestants as well as photos and a video of UFC personalities signing for their cards.

In TUF related news, we were just in Vegas for the TUF 10 media day preparing cards for all of the new Heavyweights scheduled to compete in the upcoming season! Some really big guys there!

Jon Jones

The Voice! Bruce Buffer.

Denis Kang

Videos, Pictures and cards

2009-05-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

We have been working hard to get a wide variety of UFC fighters and personalities to sign for us.
Below is a sampling of some of the subjects we have already recieved autographs and relics from along with the latest batch of TUF 9 cards. Only a few more left!

Enjoy.

More cards!

2009-05-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

Below are images of the UFC Debut cards from Dan and Jim Miller along with the TUF 9 competitors that fought last week.

Hope you enjoy them and let me know what what you would like to see next. We are getting more and more designs in everyday.

WRHU

2009-05-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

I will be on Fight Talk Radio at 9pm tonight on 88.7FM WRHU, Radio Hofsta University. For those not in the New York City/Long Island area you can catch it on the web here:
http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/SOC/WRHU/wrhu_listen.html

We will be discussing the 2009 Topps UFC trading cards scheduled for release in July.

If you are unable to catch it at 9pm Monday night it should be posted on their blog some time after (http://fighttalkradio.blogspot.com/).

UPDATE:
The interview can be heard below:

Topps UFC Brand Editor, Jeremy Fullerton, Talks to FTR
Uploaded by FightTalkRadio - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.

Miller Time!

2009-05-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we were pleased to host Jim and Dan Miller in our office in NYC. Jim and Dan are rising stars in the UFC and proven fighters and past champs in other MMA leagues.

They were in to sign autos for us and drop off their fight memorabilia that will be included in 2009 Topps UFC (coming to stores in July 2009).

Below are photos and video (sorry its a little dark). Card samples to follow shortly.

Office Visit

2009-05-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

We at Topps are excited to have Jim and Dan Miller in the offices today.

Be sure to check back later for photos, videos, and more info.

A quick update

2009-05-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to answer a few more questions people have posted and show some more of the TUF 9 cards.

Base cards will be a mix of individual fighter and personality cards as well as "UFC Debuts" that will feature the 2 fighters you participated in a particular persons first foray in a UFC Octagon.

There seem to be concerns about not getting autographs from the more established fighters and only having the opportunity to get autos from the TUF 9 competitors. Let me assure you of two things. One, these TUF 9 cards are limited (Aprox. 100-200 per subject) and we will also be including many of the top stars from UFC events including many current and past champions and title contenders. Bigger announcements on these subjects will be posted soon here on http://www.ufc-topps.blogspot.com/.

Until then, please take a look at the cards from the latest 4 competitors on TUF 9 and be sure to continue to post your questions and comments.

Announcing 2009 Topps UFC!

2009-04-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

Yes the rumors are true; Topps will be releasing another trading card product this year. The plan is to have it available for all fans in attendance at the UFC Fan Expo happening the weekend of UFC 100.

So what will this product have? Who will be in it? How much will it cost? What will it look like? Many of these questions I can answer now.

The set, called 2009 Topps UFC, will feature many of your favorite UFC fighters past and present in their own card. It will also contain cards highlighting fighters who recently debuted within the UFC Octagon such as Jon Jones, Dan and Jim Miller, Dan Hardy, Ryan Bader, and Efrain Escodero.

In addition to the 150 card base set there will be several insert sets. Our Bloodlines insert with showcase fighters and their diverse heritage. The Greats of the Game insert will feature graphics and stats from the soon to be released video game from THQ, UFC 2009 Undisputed.

Each hobby box will contain 16 packs and guarantee 2 autographed cards and 2 memorabilia cards per box. The suggested retail price will be $4.00 per pack.

We are expanding our line-up of autograph and memorabilia subject to include fighters and personalities that were not in Round 1. For example, unique to this product will be the first autographed cards from all 16 competitors from The Ultimate Fighter: USA vs UK. These cards were produced and signed ON CARD while we were at the UFC Training Facility in January.

We will be releasing images of these cards over the next few weeks. Below you will find samples of Nick Osipczak’s and Mark Millar’s cards.

As always I welcome your thoughts and questions.

Edited on 4/27

Ripping with the fighters

2009-03-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

New info coming soon!

2009-03-12T10:24:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the feedback, suggestions, and criticisms. All of this information will be very helpful as we move forward in the planning stages of our future UFC releases.

Please keep them coming and stay tuned as information regarding the next UFC trading cards will be posted here soon.

Your Feedback - We want it!

2009-02-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

With the cards finally hitting the stores this week I am sure some if not all of you have opened up some of the packs and started your collection. We have been very happy to hear some great reviews so far on other sites and collectors.

I was hoping to hear some feedback from you, our readers. Please post the good and the bad as both will help us create new cards for our upcoming releases.

Ground and Pound Radio

2009-02-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the cards' release, I will be on the MMAmadness.com's Ground and Pound Radio show, presented by MMAmadness.com and FIGHT! Magazine, this evening to discuss the UFC Round 1 cards. Be sure to tune in as we will be giving away cards to some of the listeners.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/RotoRadio/2009/02/25/The-Ground-Pound

1st box opened

2009-02-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

Beckett.com has just posted the latest episode of Box Breakers, opening the first box of UFC Round 1 trading cards.

Be sure to watch for their big hits as well as their thoughts on this exciting new product.

TapouT Radio appearance

2009-02-13T08:43:00.001-08:00

Thanks again to the TapouT Live crew!

To listen to the broadcast click here: http://www.tapoutlive.com/media/7283/021209_TapouT_Radio_Jeremy_Fullerton/

TapouT Radio

2009-02-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

I will be on TapouT radio tonight at 7pm PST (10pm for the East coasters) discussing the UFC Round 1 trading cards.

Be sure to listen!

http://www.tapoutlive.com/

Coming February 25th!

2009-02-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

Yes it is official folks.

UFC Round 1 trading cards will be on store shelves and available for purchase on February 25th.

We delayed the product a bit to ensure that we got as many top level fighters signatures in the product.

Thanks for your continued interest. I can't wait to hear what you think in just a few short weeks.

Answers and updates

2009-02-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

The sampling event at UFC 94 was a huge success. Many fans leaving the Grand Garden Arena went home with the first Topps produced UFC cards. The reaction from fans as well as UFC executives when they saw them was impressive and many people were eager to know where they can get more.

UFC Round 1 will be available at three distinct locations.
1 - Trading Card Hobby Shops:
http://www.topps.com/stores/index.html
2 - All UFC live events
3 - UFC Webstore

UFC Round 1 has a suggested retail price of $5 per pack. There are 8 cards per pack and 16 packs per box. Each box is guaranteed to have 3 autograph cards and 3 memorabilia cards featuring a piece of fighter-worn gear or octagon mat.

As the release date gets closer the excitement in the Topps and UFC offices grows by leaps and bounds.

I can't wait to get this product on the shelves and into your hands!

Thanks for your questions and comments. Keep them coming.

Answers coming soon

2009-02-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

I just got back from Las Vegas today and was pleasantly greeted by a few more questions and comments from our readers. I promise to answer them all to the best of my ability within the next day or so.

If you have new ones please feel free to add them to the list.

Thanks for all the interest!

Get your hands on Round 1 cards early!

2009-01-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce that every fan in attendance at UFC 94: St-Pierre vs Penn 2 will be receiving a special sample pack containing exclusive versions of BJ Penn's and GSP's base card.

This will be the first time that UFC fans will be able to hold the actual UFC Round 1 cards featuring BJ and Georges in their first Octagon matches. This is very exciting as we will be able to finally get the product in to the hands of UFC fans and get their feedback on the product we have been working hard on for several months.

Samples of the cards can be seen below.

Special Request

2009-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Due to a request from a reader, here is a sample of the base card backs.

Keep your suggestions, questions, and comments coming!

Own the Octagon

2009-01-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

We have been lucky enough to work in conjunction with the UFC to bring fans even closer to the

action for the UFC Round 1 trading cards. How close you ask? How about so close you can touch

it!

Through our relationship with the UFC we have been able to get the mats used in many of their events. Match where fighters such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Anderson Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria, and Michael Bisping stormed onto the scene and made their UFC debuts. Now you will be able to collect these cards with pieces of these mats and OWN THE OCTAGON.

Here you can see some of the mats we received before they went out to be embedded in the cards.

First Step in the Octagon

2008-12-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

I would like to give you all a bit of background on how we decided to attack this initial release of UFC cards.

When we were planning UFC Round 1 we knew that for many of these fighters this would be their first trading card and for all of them, their first official UFC card. These would be their rookie cards, but how do you produce a “rookie card” for legends of a
sport, some of which that have been fighting for years?

What we decided to do was to feature 90 fighters and their first official fight within the UFC Octagon. Royce Gracie is pictured grappling with Art Jimmerson at UFC 1. Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar are shown in their battle at the TUF 1 finale in one the most exciting MMA matches yet. Shane Carwin is photographed during his 44 second TKO victory over Christian Wellisch.

Personalities other than the fighters will be presented as well such as the lovely Octagon Girls, referee Herb Dean, Bruce Buffer, and Dana White.

Included are some photos of the cards mentioned above. Please let us know what you think and submit any questions you may have in the comment field.

IT’S TIME!!!

2008-12-12T06:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome UFC fans to the new Topps-UFC Card Blog. My name is Jeremy and I am one of the many people working on the brand new UFC: Round 1 trading cards from Topps. We met with UFC six months ago and together shared the same passion to bring a UFC trading card to life, now in just a few weeks this vision will come to reality!

I am hopeful this blog will provide fans an insider’s perspective on how our first product comes to life and how our relationship with UFC evolves. Here I along with others on the Topps team will provide updates on our progress and an inside peek on soon to be released products. There will even be a chance to win tickets to an upcoming UFC event for all of our readers!

Please be sure to check back often and get ready to be one of the first fans to get your hands on UFC Round 1 trading cards in stores at the end of January!