Enter The Dragon: Lyoto Machida's Collectible Clout

Brock Lesnar. Randy Couture. Chuck Liddell. Anderson Silva. Georges St-Pierre. BJ Penn. Forrest Griffin. Tito Ortiz. Yep, you’d need at least a second hand to count the number of UFC fighters more recognizable than current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

But you wouldn’t need even one finger to count those who are more dominant.

Machida, nicknamed “The Dragon,” is a karate prodigy from Brazil who enters tonight’s UFC 104 main event against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – his first title defense since winning the belt with a second-round destruction of Rashad Evans in May – with a perfect 15-0 record.

The UFC marketing machine will try to convince you that tonight’s match against Rua, himself fresh off a first-round TKO of Liddell that sent the former champion to dance with the stars, will be Machida’s stiffest challenge yet.

Before you buy that, know this: Machida has yet to lose one round in the UFC, let alone one fight.

Perhaps Machida’s greatest asset, even more than his striking, is his ability to avoid being hit. Simply, opponents have found it virtually impossible to get their hands on him. Collectors, however, have not.

The rabid, insatiable appetite of the UFC collector base is on vibrant display with Machida. “The Dragon” has appeared on just 32 Topps cards in his short hobby career (14 from UFC Round 1, 18 from 2009 Topps UFC) and the average value of those priced by Beckett Media is a staggering $56.73.

Three of his four certified autographs are numbered to 25 and not priced, but his 2009 Topps UFC Autograph, at $300, is his most expensive card. Meanwhile, his average memorabilia card (he has 10 total with five unpriced due to scarcity) is valued at $70, an unheard of figure considering that all 10 include not something worn by Machida, like shirt or short pieces, but pieces of fight mat.

Even Machida’s simple parallel cards are top-loader material. His two Silver Parallels from Round 1 – both numbered to 288, mind you – are valued at $50 and $30, respectively.

And then there’s this: A dual-autograph Relic card featuring Machida and middleweight champion Anderson Silva recently sold for $900.

Not bad for a guy most collectors wouldn’t know if he kicked them in the teeth.

— Tracy Hackler