Art of War Cage Fighting issues trading cards for fighters and fans
Being a promoter in the regional mixed martial arts scene can be challenging. Not only do you have local competition and challenges with venues, schedules, commissions, medicals, but you also have to consistently find a way to outdo your last show.
As times change, so do your audiences. As fighters come and go, so do their fans. Often times what worked a long time ago makes a comeback years later, such as bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, Converse shoes. In the 1980’s and 1990’s sports trading cards were very popular. Showing off binders full of collectables that included rare release or rookie cards was the thing to do, and it could prove to be profitable at times.
Flash forward more than 20 years and UFC trading cards are just as popular. Live videos of card breaks often go viral within the community of collectors, proving that the thought that this “fad” of collecting trading cards would go away as everything went digital, really had no merit.
Breaking refers to the practice of opening multiple boxes or cases of a product at the same time, and then distributing the cards to a larger group of paying customers. Breakers sell ‘slots’ to their breaks, and customers receive a defined portion of the opened product. In some cases, the customers will pay for a specific team, which entitles them to any card belonging to a player from that team; in other cases, the customer is simply given a randomized allotment.
Breaking has become a major business within the trading card world. Breakers operate websites and often stream their breaks on social media platforms. For high-stakes breaks, it isn’t uncommon for thousands of people to tune in and watch even though they aren’t paying for a slot or receiving any cards.
Art of War Cage Fighting promoter Mike Bickings realized that with the increase in popularity of UFC trading cards, it was time to recognize his own organization’s fighters, both past and present.
“Joe ‘Bodybagz’ Pyfer and Andre Petroski gave my son Nico their UFC card,” Bickings said. “I thought that was the coolest thing. We always jump the line at AOW, meaning we don’t wait until our guys make the UFC to promote them like they’re already UFC fighters. We promote our guys as kings, right now. Yes, they’re regional fighters, but try telling that to their fans. Every fighter on our roster has supporters who believe in them. So, in my opinion, these guys deserve to be treated like superstars right now!”
Art of War will hold their new show, AOW 34 at Valley Forge Casino Resort on March 23, followed by a quick turnaround with AOW 35 on April 5 at LIVE! Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“My vision was to create trading cards for everyone on each show,” Bickings said. “I started (producing trading cards) with AOW 34 and 35, as they’re two weeks apart. Plus, we did a Hall of Fame edition for Andre Petroski, Bodybagz, Will Martinez and Patrick Brady. But fighters will have their own cards moving forward at each show. We also did a few for AOW family, like Dominic and Danny, our security folks, the commission, Bill McKee (photographer) and our ring announcer, Chuck.”
“One advantage I have over most competitors is I do all of my own graphic design,” Bickings said of his creation. “I created a template and can quickly add fighters, then send off my sheets for print. My printer is AWESOME! Bristol Minute Man Press already has a system in place to print and cut my cards for each show. They do all of my AOW stuff, posters, tickets, trading cards, etc. I referred friends there and now they do tickets for RDR Boxing and Freedom Fighter Promotions. I highly recommend them.”
Not only is the idea unique and rewarding for the athletes who compete and staff who support the events, but Bickings also has also found a way to give yet another thank you to the sponsors who help pay the bills.
“My initial batch was a test run to see if they looked like real baseball cards. They came out fantastic. So, we will be printing more and grouping them into packs for those who want them. I’ve received several messages asking the same. So whatever fans want, we will supply. The backs contain our sponsors as well. So, it’s fun for everyone. Are we the MLB, NFL or NBA? No. But again, try telling our fans that.”
