The Best of the Bantamweights
Quick UFC history lesson: Before UFC 31, way back in 2001, “bantamweight” used to describe the (extremely shallow) 150-pound division. After Dana White and the modern UFC owners took over, bantamweight was out and lightweight was in, officially marking the beginning of the lightweight 155-pound division. In 2010, when the UFC absorbed the WEC’s 135-pound bantamweight division, the legendary WEC champ Dominick Cruz became the UFC’s first bantamweight champ, and one of the most high-paced and exciting divisions in UFC history was born.
As soon as bantamweights stepped foot into the Octagon, Topps was there, honoring the combatants and marking history in sets such like Topps Chrome® UFC and Topps UFC Knockout, and dropping hot collectibles the moment after the ref raises the victor’s hand on via Topps NOW®.
Let’s take stock of the cream of the bantamweight crop. They’ve been well-represented over the years and are often the focus of some of the most desirable UFC collectibles in history. What do you think? Did we miss anyone, or a specific card?
The Best UFC Bantamweights In History
2024 Topps Chrome® UFC Marks Of Champions Autos #MOC-AST Aljamain Sterling
Fighter Info
• Holds the record for the most wins in UFC Bantamweight division history with 14
• Holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC Bantamweight division history with 3
Set Info
• Marks of Champions Autos features 12 champions
• Six parallels: Five refractors from /150 to /5 and 1/1 Superfractor
What They Said
• “He never got handed anything, he works very hard. He was a good kid, and now he’s a great man.” – Coach Matt Serra
UFC 217 Topps NOW® TJ Dillashaw
Fighter Info
• Holds the record for the most title bouts in UFC Bantamweight history with 7
• Holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC Bantamweight division history, also with 7
Set Info
• Print run quantity of only 49 cards
• Other UFC 217 TOPPS NOW® Cards feature Rose Namajunas and Georges St-Pierre
What They Said
• “I think he’s a phenomenal fighter and I’m a big fan of watching him perform.” – Joe Rogan
2020 Topps UFC Knockout Auto Jumbo Fight Mat Relics #AJR-HC Henry Cejudo Purple /25
Fighter Info
• The seventh two-division champion in UFC history and the Fourth simultaneous two-divisional champion
• First UFC champion in history to also win Olympic gold (2008 Summer Olympics 55kg Freestyle Wrestling)
Set Info
• Only 18 cards in this insert set, each /50
• Auto Jumbo Fight Mat Relic parallels include Purple /25 and Gold 1/1
What They Said
• “You have never met anyone like Henry Cejudo. you just haven’t.” – Daniel Cormier
2024 Topps Chrome® UFC Hall of Fame Autographs #HFA-UFA Urijah Faber Refractor /150
Fighter Info
• 2017 UFC Hall of Fame Class (Modern Wing)
Set Info
• The Hall of Fame Autographs insert set features 13 UFC Hall of Famers
• Six parallels with five Refractors numbered /150 to /5 and 1/1 Suprerfractor
Card back Info
• A congratulations to the card owner and a pledge of the signature’s authenticity as witnessed by a Topps representative
2017 Topps Chrome® UFC Tier 1 #UT-DC Dominick Cruz Refractor /99
Fighter Info
• Two-time and inaugural UFC bantamweight champ
• Holds the record for the most title wins in UFC/WEC Bantamweight division history: 7
Set Info
• Four UFC Tier 1 inserts per hobby box
• UFC Tier 1 features 25 elite UFC fighters with three parallels: /99 Refractors, /50 Pulsar Refractors, and 1/1 Superfractor
What They Said
• “When you have the type of experience and type of career he’s had, and you can sit in the booth and talk fights, it’s awesome. He’ll have a great career after his career.” – Dana White
