With Double-Champ ‘Ilia Topuria’ Trading Card Breaking Record Fee, UFC Boss Dana White Shows off Jazzy Collection

More recently, the brass announced that debuting fighters will be affixed with a “Rookie” insignia on their walkout fight kit, to be immediately removed following an event. It would subsequently be emblazoned upon a rare trading card.

The All-New UFC-Strike lays ground as the only UFC/TKO Group NFT still in production. But card collectibles and custom decks are one of the top perpetual royalty merch and brand sales that tie into fighter affiliate payouts and increase popularity. In 2021, a ‘Topps‘ Chrome Conor McGregor card fetched an astonishing $73,800, marking the highest banked UFC card in history.

However, someone bought an autographed rookie card from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s debut year in the UFC for a ginormous $80,000! A 1/1 Topuria card set a new record at a recent auction, selling for a staggering $101,000 in a private sale and becoming the most expensive UFC card in history! It now boasts the top spot and seemingly is edging out the Nurmagomedov legacy in more than one way,

During the pandemic era in 2020, Topuria made his debut in the UFC, and this card dates back to that ‘rookie‘ year. Now, Ilia Topuria is really one-of-one and the first competition history fighter to make it to double-champ on undefeated stats (17-0). Even Dana White billed him the stuff of legends; safe to say he might even headhunt this card. However, that is not where the buck stops with White and collecting.

UFC CEO Dana White parades wild trading card collection that is worth near over a clean million

It’s not just ‘Topps’ or about Ilia Topuria. This year, MLB WAG Livvy Dunne went viral bagging a most rare Paul Skenes ‘rookie’ card for $2,850! A few decks toppled the latest Fanatics Fest. Even before his world-famous heel period, WWE superstar John Cena signed cards went for quite the buck. As would his multiple championship sets, a ‘ruthless aggression’ set, or a ’90s Kobe Bryant PSA 10 ‘rookie’ set.

But it’s not just this or the brand itself. Fans of sports have a penchant for collectibles, as these items offer them the chance to sometimes own a slice of history. It is not just sporting history, but a moment in time. Bryant and his famous shots are captured as static imagery stock sold out for huge bucks. WrestleMania moments, like WM41 (or this particular instant), are immortalized as cards.

Just like many avid collectors, Dana White indulges in such, specifically after a multi-year deal with Topps brought UFC cards back into the market. The boss often does IG Live giveaways (@danawhite) on Fridays. During a latest livestream with the Nelk Boys, some of the most expensive cards in the UFC boss’s collection were shown off. These cards are showcased at the UFC PI (Las Vegas).

That’s a Jordan rookie card right there, the Tom Brady refractor, …there’s only seven of these that exist in the world! We’ve got Tiger (Woods), Kobe (Bryant), I’ve got two Puka (Nacua) cards, one here, one here…Uhh, either [the] Jordan rookie or the Tom Brady [go for most expensive]…If Jordan signed that card it’s worth $5 million. It’s $400k without the signature…[Total] is over $1 million.

Dana White told the Nelk Boys

White’s collection is worth more than $1 million, yet he didn’t display any UFC cards. However, in the past, Jon Jones , Nurmagomedov, and some old school classics were shown off by the UFC boss.