UFC Finest Checklist: Key Categories
A comprehensive UFC Finest trading card checklist typically details the following card types and features. Specific card names, fighter inclusions, and parallel rarity will vary by the specific year of release.
Base Set
- Fighters: Standard cards featuring current UFC stars and legendary figures from the sport’s history.
- Rookie Cards (RC): Specially designated cards for fighters making their debut in the UFC Finest series, usually marked with an “RC” logo.
Base Set Parallels
These are rarer variations of the base set cards, distinguished by different color schemes, foil patterns, and typically, serial numbering indicating their limited print run. Common examples (note: specific parallels and numbering vary per set):
- Refractor (often the most common, may or may not be numbered)
- Color Parallels: (e.g., Blue /199, Green /99, Gold /50, Orange /25, Red /5, Black /10 or /15, Purple /75 etc.)
- Patterned Parallels: (e.g., X-Fractor, Wave Refractor, Speckle Refractor)
- SuperFractor: The rarest parallel, always a unique 1/1 card.
Insert Sets
These are specially designed subsets that focus on particular themes, fighter achievements, or artistic styles. Examples of insert set themes (actual sets vary):
- Finest Moments (highlighting iconic events)
- Octagon Icons (celebrating legendary fighters)
- Rookie Design Variations (alternate art for rookie cards)
- Thematic Die-Cuts or Acetate cards
- Insert Parallels: Most insert cards will also have their own set of parallel versions, often colored and serial-numbered.
Autograph Cards
Cards bearing authentic, hard-signed (on-card) or sticker autographs from UFC fighters. Common categories include:
- Finest Autographs: The primary autograph set, often using a design similar to the base cards.
- Insert Set Autographs: Autographed versions of cards from the various insert sets.
- Dual, Triple, or Quad Autographs: Featuring signatures from multiple fighters on a single card.
- Autograph Parallels: All autograph card types usually come in various numbered parallel versions (e.g., Gold Refractor Auto /50, Red Refractor Auto /5, SuperFractor Auto 1/1).
Autographed Relic Cards
Premium cards that combine a fighter’s signature with a piece of embedded memorabilia, such as fight-worn gear or event-used materials.
- Finest Autograph Jumbo Relics: Featuring a larger swatch of memorabilia.
- Finest Autograph Fight Mat Relics: Containing a piece of the Octagon canvas.
- Finest Autograph Glove Patch Relics: Featuring a piece of a fighter’s glove.
- Autographed Relic Parallels: These high-value cards also have their own rare, numbered parallel versions.
Relic Cards (Memorabilia Only)
Cards containing pieces of fighter-worn or event-used material, but without an autograph.
- Fighter Worn Material: (e.g., swatches from shorts, shirts, or walkout gear)
- Octagon Canvas Relics: Pieces of the mat from UFC events.
- Relic Parallels: Non-autographed relic cards also commonly feature serial-numbered parallel versions.
Key Checklist Considerations
- Serial Numbering: Always check for serial numbers (e.g., /299, /99, /25, /10, /5, 1/1). Lower numbers indicate greater rarity and often higher value.
- Short Prints (SP) & Variations: Be aware of unannounced base card image variations or short-printed insert cards that can be rarer than their unnumbered counterparts.
- Case Hits: Some cards are designated as “case hits,” meaning they are extremely rare and typically found one per sealed case (or even less frequently).
- Redemption Cards: These are cards that can be exchanged for a specific autograph or memorabilia item not available at the time of product packing, often due to pending signatures.
