In an exciting development for both trading card enthusiasts and mixed martial arts fans, the UFC trading card license is making its way back to Topps through a newly formed agreement with Fanatics Collectibles. This exclusive multi-year collaboration, announced on Wednesday, brings Topps back to the forefront of producing UFC trading cards, a position it previously held from 2009 to 2020 before Panini America took over for a brief three-year period.

This deal, expertly negotiated with the help of UFC’s licensing agent IMG, signifies a crucial moment for UFC collectibles. The first product to be released under this renewed partnership will be the highly anticipated 2024 Topps Chrome UFC, slated for release on February 28.

Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President of UFC Global Consumer Products, expressed her excitement about the reunion, highlighting the thriving market for UFC collectibles driven by the sport’s intense popularity and its exceptional athletes. This collaboration aims to cater to the passionate UFC fanbase and provide them with new avenues to engage with the sport and their favorite fighters through collectibles.

Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the immense popularity of UFC trading cards among collectors and the company’s dedication to capturing the essence of the sport’s rising stars through their trading cards. Fanatics Collectibles plans to leverage its Fanatics Live platform, a live breaking/commerce platform, to promote the UFC line. This includes athlete interviews and live card breaks featuring fighters, deepening the connection between fans and fighters and enriching the overall collecting experience.

Furthermore, this partnership builds upon the already productive relationship between UFC and Fanatics in the realm of memorabilia and apparel. Fans can find these products both at events and online through UFC Commerce. The addition of Topps under the Fanatics umbrella is set to enhance this partnership and provide UFC enthusiasts with an even wider selection of memorabilia and collectibles to celebrate their passion for mixed martial arts.

The return of Topps as the exclusive producer of UFC trading cards brings a sense of nostalgia for fans who have followed the sport for years. Topps has a long history in the trading card industry and has established itself as a trusted brand among collectors. With their expertise and experience, fans can expect high-quality and highly sought-after UFC trading cards.

The 2024 Topps Chrome UFC release is already generating excitement among collectors, who anticipate the opportunity to add cards featuring their favorite fighters to their collections. With the partnership between Topps and Fanatics Collectibles, fans can rest assured that they will have access to a wide range of UFC trading cards that showcase not only the sport’s current stars but also its future legends.

In conclusion, the reclaiming of the UFC trading card license by Topps in a new deal with Fanatics Collectibles is a significant milestone for both the trading card industry and UFC fans. This partnership opens up new avenues for fan engagement and offers a broader range of collectibles for enthusiasts to enjoy. As the 2024 Topps Chrome UFC release approaches, fans can eagerly anticipate the return of Topps and the thrilling trading card offerings to come.

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