Professional MMA fighters are not only among the best trained and most highly skilled athletes in the world, but (as a whole) they are currently counted as the most personable and fan-friendly. While early MMA fighters such as Royce Gracie and Bas Rutten helped to put this sport on the map, competitors such as those featured on the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality series are making sure that MMA remains ingrained within the psyche of today’s sports pop culture.

Much like the various star athletes of Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NFL, many MMA fighters have become household names. And with popularity comes the demand for collectable memorabilia. Three of the world’s top trading card manufacturers have released sports card sets dedicated to the stars of MMA, and Jakks Pacific, a leading toy manufacturer, is set to release a highly detailed and collectible national action figure line in late 2009.