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True rookie
2018 Topps Chrome UFC #71 Justin Gaethje — front
#71
Rookie card guide

Justin Gaethje
Rookie Card

Which card is actually the rookie, how to tell it, and what gets mistaken for it.

  • The answer2018 Topps Chrome UFC #71
  • SubjectJustin Gaethje
  • Year2018
  • ManufacturerTopps
  • ConfidenceHigh confidence
  • Print runUnknown — not estimated
Verified×1High confidence×1View sources & research

Why this is the rookie

TCDB lists no Gaethje cards before 2018. Three 2018 Topps cards carry the RC logo: Knockout #3, Chrome #71 and Museum Collection #23. TCDB flags all three RC, and the scans show the logo. We lead with Chrome #71 because it is the chromium flagship with the full Refractor rainbow (Cardboard Connection, TCDB, Sports Card Investor). Knockout #3 came out first (July 20, 2018 vs September 19, 2018, per Cardboard Connection) and is an equally valid RC. Collectors choosing between them are picking a preference, not settling a dispute.

Gaethje's rookie card in Topps' chromium flagship, released September 19, 2018 (Cardboard Connection), a year after his UFC debut. The horizontal design shows him landing a right hand on Michael Johnson, the opponent from his UFC debut. The Refractor rainbow runs from Green /99 down to a 1/1 SuperFractor.

Commonly misidentified

Rookie-year hits such as the MMR-JG relic get listed as 'RC'. Some SportsCardsPro catalogue fields mark #71 as not a rookie even though the card carries the RC logo.

Identifying it

  • Horizontal layout, Topps Chrome logo top-left
  • RC logo bottom-right, 'LIGHTWEIGHT' under the name
  • Card #71 on the back
  • Base is unnumbered; Green /99, Blue Wave /75, Gold /50, Orange /25, Black /10, Red /5 and SuperFractor 1/1 are serial-numbered

What gets mistaken for it

What you'll readWhat's true
Refractors or X-Fractors listed as the base RCThe base card has a plain chrome finish; Refractor, X-Fractor and Diamond are unnumbered parallels, so check the finish under light.
SportsCardsPro's catalogue field says 'Is Rookie Card: No'The card itself carries an RC logo (visible on the scan) and TCDB flags it RC.

Parallels

Base
—
Unnumbered
Refractor
—
Verified
X-Fractor
—
High confidence
Diamond
—
High confidence
Green
/99
Verified
Blue Wave
/75
Verified

Grading & population

Population figures will be taken directly from the grading companies and dated when they are. None are shown yet.

Sources & research Verified×1High confidence×1

Every factual claim on this page, the evidence behind it, and an honest confidence level. Where sources disagree the disagreement is kept, not quietly resolved.

High confidence

Justin Gaethje's rookie card: 2018 Topps Chrome UFC #71 — Justin Gaethje.

TCDB lists no Gaethje cards before 2018. Three 2018 Topps cards carry the RC logo: Knockout #3, Chrome #71 and Museum Collection #23. TCDB flags all three RC, and the scans show the logo. We lead with Chrome #71 because it is the chromium flagship with the full Refractor rainbow (Cardboard Connection, TCDB, Sports Card Investor). Knockout #3 came out first (July 20, 2018 vs September 19, 2018, per Cardboard Connection) and is an equally valid RC. Collectors choosing between them are picking a preference, not settling a dispute.

Verified

2018 Topps Chrome UFC #71 — Justin Gaethje.

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