How to Collect: The Greatest UFC Middleweights and their Cards to Collect

From Dan Henderson to Anderson Silva

Date: May 27, 2025

Author: Gerard Jones

Topics: Cards and Culture, How to Collect, MMA, UFC

Length: 549 Words

Reading Time: ~3 Minutes

The history of the UFC’s middleweight division is far more storied than people realize. It was the second weight division in the UFC’s history, encompassing everyone at 199 pounds or under. Then, when the Unified Rules were established in 2000, it became the 185-pound belt, and it has since been wrapped around the waists of some of the greatest martial artists in history.

From legends like Evan Tanner and Rich Franklin, to Anderson Silva and the champions he inspired like Israel Adesanya, the division has had a murderer’s row of brilliant fighters. Thankfully, Topps has been there, printing iconic cards of these historic fighters as they made UFC history.

From the very first Topps UFC set to the latest Topps Chrome® UFC, middleweights have set the standard for excellence inside the Octagon.

The Best UFC Middleweights in History

UFC 204 Topps NOW® Michael Bisping

Fighter Info

• UFC Hall of Fame (Modern Wing) Class of 2019
• First British champion in UFC history

Set Info

• Bisping’s first middleweight title defense was enshrined in a rare Topps Now release with a print run of just 91 cards.

What They Said

• “It’s hard to have the level of talent needed to compete in UFC for any amount of time, but Michael Bisping was able to have an 11-year career where he became a world champion and won The Ultimate Fighter. Not many people can say that.” – Dana White

2024 Topps Midnight UFC #4 Robert Whittaker Daybreak /5

Fighter Info

• Former UFC middleweight champion
• First Australian to win a UFC championship

Set Info

• 100-card Base set
• Seven numbered parallels from /125 to 1/1

What They Said

• “Robert Whittaker is as true and pure of a fighter as I’ve ever seen.” – Chael Sonnen

2024 Topps Chrome® UFC Marks of Champions Auto #MOC-IAD Israel Adesanya Refractor /150

Fighter Info

• First two-time UFC middleweight champion
• 9 knockdowns in UFC title fights

Set Info

• Marks of Champions Auto set features 12 champions from past and present
• six numbered parallels from /150 to 1/1

What They Said

• “You’re never as good as they say you are, you’re never as bad as they say you are. That’s a quote I live by.” – Israel Adesanya

2009 Topps UFC Round 2 TUF Season 9 #TUFDH Dan Henderson Auto

Fighter Info

• UFC 17 middleweight tournament champion
• Simultaneous Pride middleweight and welterweight champion

Set Info

• 150-card set
• TUF Season 9 autos set features 18 fighters including coaches Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping

What They Said

• “I think Dan Henderson versus ‘Shogun’ was the best fight I have ever seen in my life.” – UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn

2009 Topps UFC Round 1 Anderson Silva RC Silver /288

Fighter Info

• Holds the record for the most successful title defenses in UFC Middleweight division history with 10
• 9 finishes in UFC title fights

Set Info

• The very first Topps UFC card set
• This was Silva’s first Topps UFC appearance, with his first solo card coming in Topps UFC Round 2, but collectors consider this his Rookie Card