Heavyweight Ciryl Gane (10-1) is one of the more hyped contenders in the UFC, with his sole loss coming at the hands of champion Francis Ngannou.
Regardless, the former interim champ is likely to feature in at least a few five round fights in the future.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best Ciryl Gane rookie cards, with five top options to look out for.
The Best Ciryl Gane Rookie Cards
Ciryl Gane rookie cards were released in 2021, and he was included in the majority of Panini UFC boxes throughout the year.
5. 2021 Panini Chronicles UFC Ciryl Gane RC #202 (eBay)
2021 Panini Chronicles UFC features over 20 different base sets in a single collection, including the Optic Rated Rookie subset.
The image shows Gane in the cage with his arm raised, alongside a Rated Rookie logo in the top left corner, and a Donruss Optic logo on the bottom right. Always popular with collectors, there are various low numbered parallels to keep an eye on.
There’s also a Base Donruss Rated Rookie Ciryl Gane card featuring a different image to the one seen above.
- Parallels: Pink, Red #/149, Blue #/99, Purple #/49, Gold #/10, Platinum 1/1
- Asia Parallels: Base Asia, Red #/88, Gold #/8
Check prices of 2021 Panini Chronicles Rated Rookie Ciryl Gane RC on eBay
4. 2021 Panini Select UFC Ciryl Gane RC #98#180/#300 (eBay)
2021 Panini Select UFC has Concourse, Premier Level and Octagonside subsets. The three-tiered base set goes up in rarity, and each has a different design. For example, we’ve used the Premier Level RC in the image found above.
It’s worth mentioning that the Octagonside Silver Prizms are designated as “ultra-rare.” The same is true for the short-printed Zebra parallels.
- Prizms: Scope, Silver, Tri-Color, Red #/99, Blue #/49 Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1
- Disco Prizms: Base, Red #/199, Blue #/99, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1
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3. 2021 Panini Chronicles Contenders UFC Ciryl Gane RC #CGN (eBay)
Back to 2021 Panini Chronicles UFC.
Gane’s Contenders Rookie Ticket is another great card to seek out, whether it’s the Optic version or a base auto. (He has a slightly different pose for each card, facing either left or right.
Each uses a normal Rookie Ticket design that will be familiar for most collectors. One slight drawback is a sticker signature, but we’re still especially fond of the Cracked Ice parallel.
- Base Parallels: Red, Cracked Ice #/25, Championship 1/1
- Optic Parallels: Red, Gold #/10, Gold Vinyl 1/1
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2. 2021 Panini Select UFC Ciryl Gane RC #OA-CGN (eBay)
Switching back over to 2021 Panini Select; another stickered auto, the landscape design found with Gane’s Octagon Action Signatures card is slightly cluttered, but it certainly gets the job done.
It features an action shot above the auto along with a smaller close-up profile image.
The one-of-one seen above has made its way onto the market recently, selling for a notable four-figure sum.
- Prizms: Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1
- Disco Prizms: Base, Gold #/10, Black 1/1
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1. 2021 Immaculate Collection UFC Ciryl Gane RC #103 (eBay)
The Rookie Memorabilia Autographs card found in 2021 Immaculate Collection UFC is undoubtedly a premium Gane RC.
Serial numbered to 99, there’s a copy of the red parallel in the image above. As well as an on-card auto, there’s a fighter-worn patch located at the top. The red ink is a nice touch, and can also be found on the base version.
- Parallels: Red #/25, Gold #/10, Acetate #/8, Platinum 1/1
Check prices of 2021 Immaculate Collection Ciryl Gane RC on eBay
Ciryl Gane Rookie Cards: Buyers Guide
Here are our thoughts on the current state of the market for the best Ciryl Gane rookie cards.
As heavyweights go, Gane is a true contender, but some of his autos can be picked up for cheaper prices than you might have expected. The 2021 Panini Chronicles UFC National Pride subset is a good place to start.
The 2021 Immaculate Collection Ciryl Gane RC would be our top pick, purely due to the on-card signature and the player patch.
The Best Ciryl Gane Rookie Cards: Final Thoughts
Ciryl Gane rookie cards are a decent investment option if you think he has what it takes to secure the gold on more than an interim basis.
At 32, he isn’t the youngest fighter, but heavyweights do age at a slower rate. (For example, Stipe Miocic made his MMA debut when he was 27.)
There’s also the fact that he took Ngannou to deep waters. Here’s the DAZN report after their fight;
“Gane (10-1) controlled the opening round with his precision striking and avoided Ngannou’s heavy hands for the most part. During the second round, Ngannou landed a little more but Gane was connecting on kicks to the knees of Ngannou.”
So, what happened?
“Realizing he could be down on the scorecards, Ngannou (17-3) listened to his corner from Xtreme Couture and did the unthinkable. He used his never before seen grappling. Gane attempted a kick and Ngannou caught and picked the Frenchman up, bodyslamming him to the ground. Ngannou transitioned to Gane’s back. A moment later, Gane tried for a trip but Ngannou judo tossed him to the mat. Near the end of the round, Ngannou grabbed a double leg takedown and held on to the bell.”
We wouldn’t count out Gane if they ever do meet again. For now, a fight with either Jon Jones or Miocic seems most likely.