Czech Knockout artist Jiri Prochazka joined the UFC in 2020 with an impressive record of 26-3-1. 

After seeing off Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes, he’s currently the number two ranked light heavyweight in the world, and is set to face Glover Teixeira for the belt at UFC 275. 

No matter what happens in that main event, Prochazka clearly has the talent to become a champion in the UFC. It’s little wonder that prices and the level of interest in his rarest collectibles has continued to grow since his debut.

We’re taking the opportunity to look at the best Jiri Prochazka rookie cards, including everything you could possibly need to know. 

The Best Jiri Prochazka Rookie Cards

Jiri Prochazka is a storied fighter, and was the inaugural Rizin light heavyweight back in 2019. However, he joined the UFC in 2020, so that’s where you’ll find most of his important RCs. 

10. 2021 Panini Select UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #149 (eBay)

2021 Panini Select UFC was the first ever release from the popular brand which centers on the premier MMA organization. 

Sticking with the three-tiered base set common to Select, you’ll find Concourse, Premier Level and Octagonside subsets. This landscape option features a great shot of Prochazka on his debut, ​​and it’s the Premier Level card. You’ll also find a wide variety of rare numbered parallels to chase. 

• Parallels: Lucky Envelopes #/8
• 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

Check prices of 2021 Panini Select Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

9. 2021 Chronicles UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #291 (eBay)

2021 Chronicles UFC features 20 different base sets, and 17 Jiri RCs to collect without accounting for parallels. For one of the best overall, we’d stick with the Spectra subset, which has a great action shot of Prochazka mid-flow.  

As with the majority of cards on this list, there’s also a collection of rare parallels which correspond with the background color. 

• Parallels: Pink, Silver, Red #/149, Blue #/99, Purple #/49, Gold #/10, Nebula 1/1
• Asia: Base Asia, Gold #/8

Check prices of 2021 Chronicles UFC Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

8. 2021 Panini UFC Immaculate Ink Jiri Prochazka RC #II-JPZ (eBay)

The Immaculate Ink subset is found in 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection UFC, which was another first for the MMA organization. 

(The two companies announced an exclusive multi-year trading card deal in 2021. This means that Panini is the only company going forward who will be making UFC trading cards.)

A stickered auto is a slight letdown, but it’s still numbered to only 99 copies, with a further two parallels.  

• Parallels: Gold #/10, Platinum (1/1)

Check prices of 2021 Panini UFC Immaculate Ink Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

7. 2021 Panini Select UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #35 (eBay)

We’ve already mentioned that there are Concourse, Premier Level and Octagonside subsets found in 2021 Panini Select UFC.  

This time, the BJP RC card is contained in Concourse, with a similar list of parallels and a loose action shot of the fighter with his arms at his sides. Pristine graded versions are already proving to be especially popular. 

• Parallels: Lucky Envelopes #/8
• Prizms: Scope, Silver, Tri-Color, Red #/99, Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1
• Disco Prizms: Base, Red #/199, Blue #/99, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Select Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

6. 2021 Chronicles UFC Rated Rookie Jiri Prochazka RC #22 (eBay)

Remember the 20 different base sets featured in 2021 Chronicles UFC? Jiri Prochazka’s Rated Rookie is one of the best cards found within, thanks to the power of the popular brand and a strong action shot of the fighter as he lets his hands go. 

There are also signed copies, as well as Optic Rated Rookie cards to look out for. Once again, you’ll be paying a premium for pristine graded versions. 

• 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 Chronicles UFC Rated Rookie Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

5. 2021 Panini Select UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #285 (eBay)

We’ve seen Concourse, and Premier Level, so what about Octagonside? The rarest of the three-tiered 2021 Panini Select base set, it doesn’t matter too much if you’re looking at the numbered Prizm parallels. 

Panini has noted the Octagonside Silver Prizms are “ultra-rare.” The same designation was given to the short-printed Zebra parallels. It’s another great Prochazka RC to make the list. 

• Parallels: Lucky Envelopes #/8 
• Prizms: Scope, Silver, Tri-Color, Zebra, Red #/99, Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1 
• Disco Prizms: Base, Red #/199, Blue #/99, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Select Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

4. 2021 Panini Prizm UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #84 (eBay)

Next up is 2021 Panini Prizm UFC.

The first set under Panini’s multi-year exclusive deal with the UFC, it’s a flagship release filled with a number of true rookie cards. There are Horizontal and Vertical subsets to choose from, but we’d stick with the vertical version for the best potential ROI. 

As you’d expect, there’s a plethora of parallels to chase, which are likely to rise in value if and when he becomes the champion. 

• Parallels: Silver, Green, White Sparkle, Red #/275, Blue #/199, Purple #/149, Orange #/99, Neon Green #/75, Teal #/49, Pink Pulsar #/42, Green Pulsar #/25, Mojo #/25, Gold #/10, Lucky Envelopes #/8, Octagon #/8, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Prizm Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

3. 2021 Panini Prizm Octagon Signatures Jiri Prochazka RC #OSJPZ (eBay)

Sticking with the 2021 Panini Prizm UFC collection, the Sensational Signatures subset features a strong Jiri Prochazka rookie auto. It’s a stickered signature, but the Prizm branding helps it to stand out from lesser options. We still think that it’s worth keeping tabs on in the meantime. 

• Parallels: Silver, Green, Red #/49, Blue #/35, Mojo #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Prizm Octagon Signatures Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

2. 2021 Select UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #JPC (eBay)

The final addition from 2021 Select UFC, the Rookie Signatures subset features a Prochazka auto with base versions limited to 149. It features a simple action shot of the light heavyweight in a fighting pose, and has a stickered auto filled in blue ink at the bottom. We especially like the look of the Tie-Dye parallel, but it can be difficult to locate. 

• Prizms: Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Black 1/1 
• Disco Prizms: Base, Gold #/10, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Select Jiri Prochazka signed RCs on eBay

1. 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection UFC Jiri Prochazka RC #106 (eBay) 

Prochazka’s RPA from the 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection is arguably the cleanest card to make the list. It features an image of the fighter during his bout with Dominick Reyes, along with an athlete-worn patch and an on-card auto.  

The high-end release also benefits from the understated style seen with all Immaculate Collection cards. Base copies have a print run of 99, while there’s also a further four numbered parallels.  

• Parallels: Red #/25, Gold #/10, Acetate #/8, Platinum 1/1

Check prices of 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection Jiri Prochazka RCs on eBay

Jiri Prochazka Rookie Cards: Buyers Guide 

Is it worth buying Jiri Prochazka rookie cards? Here’s what we think of the market for the promising contender and his best RCs. 

There are so many parallels and cheap Prochazka cards with an RC logo attached, which has helped to keep prices down for now. Base versions of the Select auto are relatively affordable, and are worth checking out. 

Of the cards to make the list, the Gold 2021 Panini Immaculate Collection RPA would be our personal pick. The parallel offers a nice level of rarity, as well as an on-card auto and a worn/used patch.  

Final Thoughts

Prochazka is expected to secure the Light Heavyweight belt against Glover Teixeira at UFC 275, but nothing is ever set in stone. In any case, he’s a real contender for the strap, hence the high prices for his rarest rookie cards at this moment in time. They’re still likely to rise in value if and when he wins the belt. 

Panini heavily capitalized on Prochazka’s debut in the UFC, releasing a wide variety of cards to match growing interest in the hobby. There’s a small element of risk, but Jiri RCs are still some of the best in the hobby if you’re looking at potential future champions. 

If you think he has what it takes to win the title, and potentially defend the belt, his RCs have to be seen as a viable investment option.