MMA Trading Cards still in their Infancy

In comparison to the trading cards of other sports that have been around more than 100 years, MMA trading cards are relatively new in the collectibles market; and will take some time to gain in popularity and in value to other sports. 

On the plus side, there is no better time than now to pick up early trading cards of MMA legends at affordable prices.  At one time collectors cared less about 1986 Fleer Basketball cards (MJ Rookie Year) and I’m sure are regretting it.

Baseball

In 1868, Peck and Snyder, a sporting goods store in New York, began producing trade cards featuring baseball teams. Peck and Snyder sold baseball equipment, and the cards were a natural advertising vehicle. The Peck and Snyder cards are sometimes considered the first baseball cards.

Boxing

One of the first boxing cards on record in "America's Greatest Boxing Cards" and encyclopedia and check-list of boxing cards, was of John C. Heenan issued by photographs Charles D. Fredericks in the 1860s. The first set of boxer cards was issued by Goodwin & Company in 1886. Other companies, including Duke and Sons and the Lorillard Tobacco Company, also issued boxing cards in this period.

Football

The first entire set of cards to focus on American football players was printed by the Mayo Cut Plug Tobacco Company, which released a 35-card set in 1894, featuring players from the schools that became the Ivy League.

Hockey

The first hockey cards were included in cigarette packages from 1910 to 1913, manufactured by Imperial Tobacco Canada for the inaugural NHL season. The 1910 set had a total of 36 cards, each one featuring an illustration of a player.

Basketball

One of the first basketball cards issued in 1910 by Murad Cigarettes, featuring Colleges.

MMA

1995 Baseball Magazine (BBM) Professional wrestling cards contained a variety of small subsets, including RINGS and Pancrase.