Topps, UFC Get Ready for Round One

It wasn't too long ago that Topps and the UFC announced they had joined forces to create trading cards of the world's most prominent mixed martial artists. Today, the companies revealed some of the details of their first collaboration and made it known that the wait is almost over.

Entitled Topps UFC - Round One, the debut set will ship before the end of January 2009. The 100-card base set will showcase current stars like Georges St. Pierre and Forrest Griffin, UFC legends like Royce Gracie and even personalities like the Octagon Girls.

Hobby boxes will contain 16 eight-card packs with a suggested retail price of $5 per pack. Three autographs and three relic (memorabilia) cards are guaranteed in each box.

It remains to be seen how collectors accustomed to cards of more traditional sports take to the news, but the UFC has a large, loyal group of fans from very desirable demographics. If Topps can entice them to collect the cards - which will be available at UFC events as well as hobby stores - we could be looking at a sizable injection of new blood into the hobby. And that's never a bad thing.

Image courtesy of and copyright Topps.