PREVIEW: Topps UFC Knockout 2014

[windmortal]

By G. Kerry Webster
www.combatcardboard.com
Topps Trading Card Co. has announced April 23 as the official release date of its popular high-end mixed martial arts line, UFC Knockout 2014.
“We’re once again excited to bring our Knockout line to the collectors and fans again,” said Jeremy Fullerton, UFC brand manager with Topps. “It’s our longest reigning MMA product and it’s something the collectors look forward to year end and year out. I’m sure they’ll be happy again with the product this year.”
The feature in this year’s edition is the Championship Belt Plate cards. Originally introduced exclusively at the UFC Fan Expo at UFC 129 in Toronto with a signed, Georges St-Pierre edition, the Belt Plate card returned in last year’s Knockout product featuring women’s bantamweight champion, Rhonda Rousey.
“Those care were extremely popular,” said Fullerton. “We always strive to give the collectors what they want, and they sure seemed to like these cards. So, instead of just having a single card, we decided to feature all nine champions in the set.”
There will be three versions of the Championship Belt Plate cards, including the base version containing the manufactured belt plate, a relic version that includes the plate and a piece of Octagon mat used in a subject’s fight and an autographed relic version.
Each hobby-exclusive box contains eight pack, and each pack will feature an autograph or relic card. Full boxes include two autographs, two autographed relcis and four relics.
“Having a ‘hit’ in every pack is key for this product,” said Fullerton. “That’s why the collectors like it. They know no matter what, they are going to find something nice.”
The base set features 100 of the top MMA fighters in the UFC organization. All base parallels are numbered and are inserted at a ratio of one per pack. Gold parallels are not numbered; however, green versions are printed to 99 and the “ruby” version, or red, is numbered to 8. Cards printed on mat stock also return and each are numbered 1/1. There are also three different printing plates available for each card — all numbered 1/1.
There are several autograph cards available in Knockout, including first-time signers, which contain a “First Issue” designation. According to Fullerton, some first-time signers in Knockout 2014 include Khabib Nurmagomedov, Brandon Thatch, Jessica Eye, Soa Palelei, Amanda Nunes and Miles Jury. Red ink versions of these cards are numbered to just 15 and some include the fighter’s nickname.
Several other autographed cards are available as well. Notable Nickname Autographs are numbered to 25 and include the unique nickname for each fighter. Ultimate Inscription Autographs feature the fighter’s Twitter handle and are numbered to just 25 copies.
Multi-signed cards have also become popular amongst collectors. Knockout 2014 sees the return of the Three of a Kind Triple Autographs, which features fighters with a shared history. These cards are numberd to just 10.
Other multi-signed cards include the Sicksigs autograph books, which contains six autographs; and Memorable Match-Ups Dual Autograph books includes autographs from two fighters who have battled inside the cage.
The always present, but undervalued Fight Mat Relics return and the base versions are numbered to 288. There are also parallels including green to 88, red to 8 and mat print 1/1. Gear Relics follow the same format. Memorable Match-Ups Dual Relics include two swatches of fighter-worn apparel and are numbered to 50.
The Knockout Autographed Relic cards feature a piece of fighter-worn gear and all are numbered. There are also Dual Autographed Fight Relics numbered to 10, as well as Memorable Match-Ups Dual Autographed Relics numbered to 5.
The popular Triple Threads Relics, which contains three relics from a specific fighter or common group, return in 2014, and this year, with a little something different.
“Several fighters in the Triple Threads Relics actually have two different die-cut versions,” said Fullerton. “That’s a bonus for all the player collectors out there.”
Other versions include the Triple Threads Combo Relics and Triple Threads Relic Double Combo Books. There are five parallels for each card, numbered to 27, 18, 9, 3 and 1.
Triple Threads Autographed Relics contain a fighter’s signature as well as three pieces of fight-worn gear. These cards are numbered to 18. Parallels include Gold to 9, Sapphire to 3, Platinum to 1 and Leather to 1. There are also four White Whale printing plates for each card, numbered to 1.
The Triple Threads Glove Patch Books include two pieces of fighter-worn gloves and a jumbo patch and the Triple Threads Autograph Glove Swatch Books includes the fighter’s autograph. Each card in the series is stamped 1/1.


The Fist-ograph Box Toppers also return, as do Autographed Glove Redemption cards.
“I’m very happy with the Knockout 2014 product as I am with all the Knockout stuff,” said Fullerton.
The suggested retail price of Topps UFC Knockout is $139.99 per box. Each box contains eight packs of five cards. Each case is guaranteed to contain at least one book card.

[windmortal]

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[bboy711]

Take my $$$ already!

[twoten01]

Lol Oliver, now that Thatch will have autos(and base) in this I will be broke. I know Souza has a base card, hoping Lauzon does as well, if so this will be my favorite set ever.


Jeremy Fullerton: any chance there is a Lauzon base card, I know Drysdale never made his debut. Lauzon needs to be in every set. Most Submissions of the night in UFC history, and tied with Silva for most OTN awards with 12. He gets left out in sets(2012 KO), when you guys include fighters who are not at the level Joe is at, or don't even fight in the UFC at the time of release. You don't have to worry that Joe will ever get fired from the UFC