It was only a matter of time till these ever-increasingly popular sport became the focus of trading card sets. Although a handful of UFC and other Mixed Martial Arts athletes have been featured on cardboard, Topps has signed a multi-year deal with the UFC to produce UFC brand trading cards exclusively.

The deal will last through May of 2011, giving Topps a stranglehold on the sport for the next three years. Topps is clearly looking to cash in on what’s becoming a huge industry. The upcoming UFC 91 on November 15th, which will feature Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture versus Brock Lesnar, is predicted to be the UFC’s biggest event ever.

As part of the deal, the UFC will provide Topps with memorabilia including match-used gloves and pieces of the UFC octagon. Who knows, perhaps a piece of the mat with blood on it will carry a premium.

Among the fighters that will be included are Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Brock Lesnar, Royce Gracie, Forrest Griffin and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Topps announced that the first set will launch in early 2009.

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