Let’s check out the best Ronda Rousey cards.
Ronda Rousey was once the face of MMA, amassing an unbeaten streak of 14 wins before a couple of losses derailed her career as a professional fighter.
She set the record for most UFC title defenses by a woman (six), and reinvented herself as a WWE superstar in later years.
In 2018, she became the first female fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, making history once more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best Ronda Rousey cards on the market right now.
The Best Ronda Rousey Cards
Generally, earlier options are preferred by collectors, so we’ll be focusing on Rousey’s MMA career for the most part.
5. 2017 Topps Chrome UFC Ronda Rousey Top of the Class (eBay)
2017 was the first year in which Topps wrapped their UFC cards in a familiar chrome finish.
The ‘Top of the Class’ insert was randomly included at a rate of four per box, along with UFC Fire, UFC Museum and UFC Tier 1.
As the name implies, it focuses on some of the best fighters in a range of weight categories, with Rousey selected at bantamweight. The reverse notes that she was the first woman to fight in the octagon for the promotion, forever changing the landscape of the UFC.
Parallels: Refractor (/99), Pulsar Refractor (/50), Superfractor (1/1)
4. 2013 Topps UFC Finest Ronda Rousey #30 (eBay)
Next up is the base card from 2013 Topps UFC Finest, which makes for an affordable investment piece.
2013 was a strong year for Rousey cards, even if they aren’t true rookie cards.
It’s easy to see how it could be seen as an RC, with the action shot focusing on Rousey’s hard-fought debut UFC win over Liz Carmouche. There are also a number of coloured refractor parallels, which significantly increase the value when graded.
Parallels: Refractor, Blue Refractor #/188, Gold Refractor #/88, Black Octo-Fractor #/8, Superfractor 1/1
3. 2017 Topps Chrome Tier 1 Ronda Rousey #UTRR (eBay)
Another insert from the 2017 Topps Chrome set, this time we’re looking at UFC Tier 1.
They were distributed at a rate of four per box, and there’s a coveted refractor featuring none other than Rousey as she prepares to begin a championship round.
There are also signed versions to be on the lookout for, although there are only five in existence, with no further parallels. The rarity ensures that graded versions are always likely to attract multiple bids.
Parallels: Refractor (/99), Pulsar Refractor (/50), Superfractor (1/1)
2. 2017 Topps Chrome Ronda Rousey Fighter Autographs #FARR (eBay)
The Fighter Autographs subset contains another great signed Rousey card, showing her at the peak of her powers.
The full-bleed design makes it fairly condition sensitive, although it does help to make the image of Rousey pop. It’s another that will take a true fight to win at auction given its popularity with collectors.
Parallels: Hot Box Refractor (1 per case), Green Refractor #/99, Gold Refractor #/50, Orange Refractor #/25, Black Refractor #/10, Red Refractor #/5, SuperFractor 1/1
1. 2012 Finest UFC Ronda Rousey Auto RC #ARR (eBay)
Rousey’s first licensed autographed trading card takes the top spot on our list. The 2012 Finest UFC set features the fighter with her hand held aloft after a victory.
At 17, Rousey was the youngest judoka to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
However, this is still one of her earliest rookie releases, along with a couple of relics and autos found in 2012 Topps UFC Bloodlines set.
(The latter have Strikeforce logos, as the UFC purchased and eventually closed the rival promotion as they brought the remaining fighter contracts into the UFC roster.)
Parallels: Gold Refractor #/25, Black Octa-fractor #/8, Red Refractor 1/1, Printing Plates (4 per card) 1/1
Ronda Rousey Cards: Buyers Guide
As time goes by, Rousey is well-remembered for the impact she had on MMA and the mainstream. Here are our thoughts on her current card prices.
The best cheap Ronda Rousey cards are probably the base options from the 2013 Topps UFC Finest set. They show her in the midst of winning her belt, with a classic submission that shows what she was all about.
The lack of an auto is the only reason why it’s more affordable than the other cards that made the list.
The best Ronda Rousey card from an investment perspective has to be the 2012 Finest RC. Few others can match the prestige, and graded versions are especially rare.
For example, the signed base card has only 19 PSA 9s, and only 6 PSA 10s according to the registry.
Any RR card from 2012 is worth a lot in the present, and should be seen as one of the better options overall.
The Best Ronda Rousey Cards: Final Thoughts
Rousey won’t fight again in the octagon, despite never officially announcing her retirement. She said;
“I think it’s just as likely as me going back to another Olympics for judo.”
Her time as the WWE Raw Women’s Champion is another career highlight, even if the cards aren’t worth as much as her MMA equivalents.
In hindsight, her impact on the sport still supersedes her spectacular fall at the hands of Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Rousey helped the UFC to become the organisation we all know today.
Her top cards look to be a solid investment option, with no better female fighter that we can think of.