Top 20 Affordable UFC First Rookie Cards: From Legends to Rising Stars Guide
- Paul Seviner
- Dec 6, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
While the trading card market chases high-end releases, UFC’s “true rookie” segment offers overlooked bargains for collectors. This list spotlights 20 affordable UFC rookie cards (priced $5–$40 raw) that balance iconic moments with long-term upside, bypassing the premium hype.
We define “affordable” as base cards under $20 (ungraded), excluding parallels, serial-numbered prints, or slabs. Select historical rookies stretch to $35–40 if undervalued (e.g., silver Prizms/refractors). A “true rookie” is a fighter’s first licensed UFC base card with the RC logo, starting with 2009 Topps Round 1.
Why Big Names Are Excluded
Legends like Joe Rogan (2009 Topps rookie: $100+) and volatile cards like Amanda Nunes’ 2013 Bloodlines #63 ($100+ post-comeback) or Khabib’s scarce 2012 Bloodlines #12 fall outside our affordability filter for this article. Even the iconic 2009 Topps sets—packed with stars like Forrest Griffin and Shogun Rua—are narrowed to five picks to prioritize value over nostalgia. Sorry for that, we had to keep this list compact.
Price Transparency
All prices reflect pre-publication eBay sales. For rare finds, set alerts via our search affiliate link below. Let’s dive in chronologically—and stick to the end for tips to maximize your UFC collection’s value!
PART 1: THE UFC PIONEERS (EARLY TOPPS)
For a low-risk UFC collecting start, target early Topps releases—iconic designs like Royce Gracie’s rookie (PSA 5 sold at $35) offer hidden value. Graded slabs are strategic: raw copies are scarce, and with only 131 Gracie rookies graded by PSA, encapsulation protects condition and locks in long-term value.These are among the select few who shaped the UFC through their historic achievements, elite skills, and iconic personas.
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #1 Royce Gracie vs Art Jimmerson Base
Lowest price sold: $35
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 # 1 card features Royce Gracie, a UFC Hall of Famer and pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, who dominated early UFC events (winning UFC 1, 2, and 4). His historic 1993 UFC 1 victory over Art Jimmerson (who infamously fought with one glove) cemented MMA’s global rise. As the first card in Topps’ debut UFC set, it’s a cornerstone for collectors, celebrating Gracie’s legacy and the sport’s origins.
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 Georges St-Pierre vs Karo Parisyan #17 Base
Lowest price sold: $25
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #17 card features Georges St-Pierre (GSP), widely regarded as one of MMA’s greatest welterweights (2x UFC champion, 13 title defenses). His 2004 bout against Karo Parisyan (renowned judoka and top contender) showcased GSP’s ascent to stardom. As part of Topps’ first UFC series, this card captures GSP’s prime and enduring legacy, making it essential for fans of his dominance and UFC history.
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #97 Dana White Base
Lowest price sold: $30
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 # 97 card spotlights Dana White, the UFC President who revolutionized MMA into a global powerhouse. As the first Topps card dedicated to the sport’s iconic leader, it celebrates his role in UFC’s meteoric rise. A must-have for collectors valuing UFC’s business legacy and White’s cult-like status among fight fans.
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 # 46 Anderson Silva Chris Leben Base
Lowest price sold: $30
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #46 card immortalizes Anderson Silva’s legendary UFC debut in 2006 against Chris Leben—a brutal 49-second KO that ignited Silva’s record-breaking 16-fight win streak and 10-title-defense Middleweight reign. Capturing the Spider’s arrival as an unstoppable force, this card is pivotal for collectors celebrating Silva’s GOAT status and his era-defining dominance.
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #66 Nate Diaz vs. Manny Gamburyan Base
Lowest price sold: $22
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 1 #66 card highlights Nate Diaz’s explosive 2007 TUF 5 Finale victory over Manny Gamburyan (via 2nd-round guillotine), launching Diaz’s iconic UFC career. Capturing his gritty BJJ brilliance and future stardom (later Conor McGregor rival, fan-favorite maverick), this card is key for collectors of Diaz’s rise and TUF-era UFC history.
2009 Topps UFC Round 2 # 101 Jon Jones vs Andre Gusmao Base
Lowest price sold: $30
The 2009 Topps UFC Round 2 #101 card captures Jon Jones’ 2008 UFC debut against Andre Gusmao, a dominant decision win that foreshadowed his meteoric rise as the youngest UFC champ (26) and LHW GOAT (record 14 title defenses). This early-career card immortalizes "Bones"’ raw talent and innovation (elbows, wrestling), making it a grail for collectors of his unmatched legacy and UFC’s modern era.
2011 Topps Finest UFC # 33 Demetrious Johnson REFRACTOR
Lowest price sold: $20
The 2011 Topps Finest UFC #33 card features Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, a pioneer of the UFC flyweight division and widely regarded as one of MMA’s most technically brilliant fighters. This card captures his early UFC career before he became the division’s inaugural champion (record 11 straight title defenses). A must-have for collectors valuing Johnson’s GOAT-status speed, grappling mastery, and role in elevating smaller weight classes—underscored by his 2010s dominance and enduring legacy as a modern MMA icon.
2011 Topps Finest UFC #2 Dustin Poirier Refractor /888
Lowest price sold: $40
The 2011 Topps Finest UFC #2 card spotlights Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier during his explosive UFC debut year, fresh off a 2011 upset submission win over Josh Grispi that announced his arrival. This early card captures the roots of his legendary career—future interim lightweight champion, fan-favorite brawler (epic bouts vs. McGregor, Gaethje, Holloway), and UFC’s all-time fight bonus leader. A prized rookie-era collectible for fans of his grit, philanthropy, and status as one of MMA’s most beloved modern warriors.
2012 Topps UFC Bloodlines Independence Edition # 150 Ronda Rousey Base
Lowest price sold: $39
The 2012 Topps UFC Bloodlines Independence Edition #150 card celebrates Ronda Rousey, the trailblazing first female UFC champion who revolutionized women’s MMA with her armbar dominance (12 straight wins, 6 UFC title defenses). Capturing her meteoric rise pre-Hollywood/WWE fame, this patriotic-themed card immortalizes her role in legitimizing women’s divisions and her crossover stardom. A grail for collectors of UFC history and Rousey’s undefeated prime (2012-2015), symbolizing her “Rowdy” cultural impact.
PART 2: The Active (Former) Champions
These athletes have earned fans’ hearts through their longevity in the UFC, delivering some of the most entertaining and technical fights in the sport’s history—all while remaining active contenders or champions today.
2013 Topps UFC Knockout # 42 Max Holloway Base
Lowest price sold: $36
The 2013 Topps UFC Knockout #42 card features Max "Blessed" Holloway early in his UFC career, foreshadowing his rise as a record-setting Featherweight champion (13-fight win streak, 3 title defenses). This pre-title era card captures his evolution from scrappy prospect to fan-favorite striking savant (notable for volume, durability, and epic bouts vs. José Aldo, Brian Ortega). A must for collectors valuing Holloway’s legacy as one of MMA’s most exciting action fighters and his enduring “Blessed” charisma.
Max Holloway's Rookie Year Cards to Collect
Story of a fighter who isn't afraid to step into the trenches
2017 Topps UFC Knockout # 75 Valentina Shevchenko Base
Lowest price sold: $18
The 2017 Topps UFC Knockout #75 card features Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko, a dominant UFC flyweight champion (7 title defenses) renowned for her elite striking (Muay Thai world champ) and tactical brilliance. This card captures her rise to greatness, including her 2017 bantamweight clash with Amanda Nunes—a rivalry that cemented her as one of MMA’s most skilled female fighters. A must for collectors valuing Shevchenko’s icy precision, versatility (wins in three divisions), and legacy as a pioneer of women’s combat sports.
2019 Topps Knockout # 87 UFC Alexander Volkanovski Base
Lowest price sold: $20
The 2019 Topps Knockout #87 card features Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski during his meteoric rise to UFC Featherweight dominance (26-3 record, 5 title defenses). This card captures his pre-champion era, foreshadowing his historic wins over Max Holloway and José Aldo, plus his relentless pressure style and granite chin. A must-have for collectors of Volkanovski’s underdog-to-GOAT journey, symbolizing his reign as one of MMA’s most technically brilliant and durable champions.
2019 Topps Chrome # 92 Islam Makhachev Base
Lowest price sold: $25
The 2019 Topps Chrome #92 card features Islam Makhachev, future UFC Lightweight Champion and protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, capturing his pre-title reign ascent with Dagestani grappling dominance (Sambo mastery, 13-fight win streak). A must for collectors anticipating his 2022 championship breakout and reign as heir to Nurmagomedov’s legacy, symbolizing his technical brilliance and status as a modern MMA force.
2020 Topps UFC Knockout # 5 Weili Zhang Base
Lowest price sold: $4
The 2020 Topps UFC Knockout #5 card features Weili Zhang, China’s first UFC champion (Strawweight) and a global MMA trailblazer. This card captures her meteoric rise, including her 2019 title win over Jessica Andrade and legendary 2020 war with Joanna Jędrzejczyk—voted one of the greatest fights in UFC history. A must for collectors valuing Zhang’s explosive striking, historic impact on Asian MMA, and role in elevating women’s divisions during her reign as a dominant, fan-revered champion.
PART 3: The Rising Stars
The Panini era (2021–2024) and current Topps UFC releases feature a vast roster, but we’ve prioritized six reigning champions over rising stars like Shavkat Rakhmonov and more to ensure proven collectible value.
2021 Panini Prizm UFC # 7 Khamzat Chimaev Silver Prizm
Lowest price sold: $20
The 2021 Panini Prizm UFC #7 card features Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated Chechen-born phenom (13-0) whose 2020 UFC debut (three wins in 66 days) redefined hype with brutal dominance (10 finishes). This rookie-era card captures his meteoric rise as a crossover star, blending wrestling mastery, viral charisma, and Dana White’s “scariest fighter” endorsement. A must for collectors banking on Chimaev’s potential as a future multi-division champion and his cult-like following as MMA’s most feared rising force.
2022 Panini Prizm UFC #115 Ilia Topuria Silver Prizm
Lowest price sold: $20
The 2022 Panini Prizm UFC # 115 card features Ilia Topuria (14-0), the Georgian-Spanish phenom whose undefeated streak and ruthless finishing ability (12 stoppages) have marked him as a future Featherweight title threat. This rookie-year card captures his rise as a breakout star, highlighted by 2022’s viral KO of Jai Herbert and grappling dominance over Bryce Mitchell. A must for collectors banking on “El Matador”’s generational potential, charisma, and inevitable championship trajectory in a stacked division.
2022 Panini Prizm UFC # 134 Tom Aspinall Silver Prizm
Lowest price sold: $10
The 2022 Panini Prizm UFC #134 card features Tom Aspinall, the UK’s heavyweight phenom (13-3, 10 finishes) whose explosive UFC start (5-0 with all KOs/submissions by 2022) redefined hype in the division. This card captures his ascent as a technical, agile giant (youngest UFC HW title challenger in 2024) and heir to the UK’s MMA throne post-Michael Bisping. A must for collectors banking on his future champion potential and status as the division’s most dynamic rising star.
2023 Panini Prizm UFC #111 Alex Pereira Silver Prizm
Lowest price sold: $15
The 2023 Panini Prizm UFC #111 card spotlights Alex "Poatan" Pereira, a two-division UFC champion (Middleweight and Light Heavyweight) and former Glory kickboxing legend, famed for his stone-cold knockout power (9-2 MMA, 7 KOs). Capturing his meteoric UFC rise (2022 MW title win over Adesanya, 2023 LHW crown vs. Prochazka), this card immortalizes his historic dual-division dominance and aura as MMA’s most feared striker. A must for collectors banking on his GOAT-tier combat sports legacy and Panini Prizm’s premium appeal for modern UFC icons.
2024 Topps Chrome UFC # 26 Diego Lopes Rookie Refractor
Lowest price sold: $10
The 2024 Topps Chrome UFC #26 Diego Lopes Rookie card captures the Brazilian submission savant’s electric UFC arrival, marked by his 2023 debut (FOTN vs. Movsar Evloev) and rapid rise as a Featherweight dark horse. With a lethal BJJ base (16-5 record, 13 finishes) and fearless aggression, Lopes has become a fan favorite and breakout prospect in a stacked division. This Topps Chrome rookie—a premium, high-demand parallel—is a must for collectors banking on his future title contention and cult-hero appeal as UFC’s next grappling phenom.
2024 Topps Gold Label UFC # 83 Kayla Harrison CLASS 3
Lowest price sold: $10
The 2024 Topps Gold Label UFC #83 Kayla Harrison (Class 3) card celebrates the MMA icon’s UFC debut after dominating PFL (two-time champ, 17-1 record) and Olympic judo fame (two gold medals). This premium parallel captures her legacy as a trailblazer for women’s combat sports and her quest to conquer UFC’s bantamweight division. A must for collectors banking on her grappling mastery, crossover stardom, and potential to become UFC’s first Olympic-to-octagon champion—amplified by Gold Label’s elite design and rarity.
Key Takeaways
Start with Topps’ Licensed UFC Sets
For long-term collectors, the 2009 Topps UFC releases are foundational. As print runs dwindle, early rookies like Jon Jones’ 2009 card could mirror iconic TCG grails (think 1996 Charizard).
Modern Cards: Buy Smart, Grade Smarter
Target undervalued parallels (e.g., Prizm silvers). Buy three copies: grade the best (sell to recoup costs), hold one long-term, and keep one for your collection.
Auction Strategy for Vintage Gems
Scarce slabs like Royce Gracie’s PSA 5 rookie ($35) surface on eBay—set alerts for similar deals.
2026 UFC White House Event Catalyst
The historic June 14, 2026, event (hosted by Trump/Dana White) will spike demand. Use short-term tactics like grading modern parallels to capitalize pre-event.
Final Thoughts
From undervalued legends to tomorrow’s champions, these UFC rookies prove you don’t need deep pockets to own MMA history. Ready to level up? 🏆 Dive deeper into fighter spotlights, investment guides, and breaking news in our MMA section—your ringside seat to the card-collecting game. Your next grail card awaits! Disclosure: When you click or make a purchase through our links, we may earn a small percentage, which helps us maintain and improve our site.
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