The Jon Jones Full Contact Autograph Dilemma

I've been hesitant to share this story because it's quite complicated, but as questions keep coming in, I'll do my best to clarify it.

📍BACKSTORY

On February 1, 2011, Topps released the 2010 Topps UFC Knockout set, which featured an 18-card subset called Full-Contact Autographs. Each card was signed on-card and serial numbered out of 99.

A year later, Topps launched the 2012 Knockout set, which included two Full Contact Autograph subsets: the 2012 Full-Contact Autographs (an 18-card set, serial numbered /99) and a 2010 Full-Contact Autographs Update (a 4-card set that isn't serial numbered). This update set contains on-card autographs from Cain Velasquez, Frankie Edgar, Urijah Faber, and Jon Jones.

📍THE DILEMMA

Should the Full-Contact Autographs Update cards be considered 2010 or 2012 cards?

These cards closely resemble the original 2010 Full-Contact Autographs, differing mainly by slight color variations and the absence of serial numbers. The back of each card reads, "This is an Authentic 2010 Topps UFC Knockout - Full-Contact Autograph Card," and lists the production year as 2010. However, they were actually pulled from 2012 Topps Knockout packs.

MMArookies searched population reports of two major grading companies to understand

their classifications. PSA labels these Full Contact Update cards as 2012 Topps UFC Knockout, while Beckett lists them as 2010.

📍DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

To those seeking Jon Jones’ first on-card autograph card it does.  If the Jon Jones 2010 Full-Contact Autographs Update card is deemed a 2010 product, it would be his first on-card autograph. If classified as a 2012 product, then his 2011 Finest Autograph card would be his earliest on-card autograph.

📍CONCLUSION

This article presents facts about Full Contact Auto Update cards to help collectors make informed choices, without assigning classifications. MMA Rookies will show these cards on our website with an asterisk explaining relevant details.