
Loading summary
A
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off, and Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need, all in one place, from H VAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more, and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock, so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need, all in one place, from H VAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more, and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock, so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
B
Man, if you told me when I was a little kid that eventually I was gonna have my own trading card or be in a video game, I'd be like, you're crazy.
C
That's the cool crossover that's kind of going on. You're seeing athletes and, you know, superstars in sports like yours and what you're doing, and then in other ones where you never know who's gonna pop up at a break. Welcome to the Collector Nation Podcast. Here on the Collector Nation Network. Whether you're chasing grails or calling bluffs, we take you inside the hobby. Here's your host, Ryan Alford. Little monologue intro for you, and then we just have a back and forth. I got a few things teed up, but I keep it conversational.
B
Perfect.
C
5, 4, 3, 2. One of one. Most athletes are on trading cards, but not many are actually in the hobby. Josh Emmett is a UFC featherweight known for his knockout power, but he's also building something in the card world with one punch cards. Today we're talking about fighting, collecting, and what it's like being on both sides of the hobby. Josh, welcome to Collector Nation.
B
Yeah, it's great to be here. How are you?
C
I'm great, man. You're the first fighter I've had on the show, so there's a first for everything. 1 of 1, 1 of 1 Fighters on the collectible show, and I'm sure one of many that probably collect. But the first thing when I talk to someone that has cards with their face on, I'm like, you got to admit, it's pretty fucking cool to have your day Your. Your face on a trading card.
B
Yeah, you know, it's. I was always, as a young child, I was such a big sports fan, and, you know, what got me into collecting was 90s basketball. And, man, if you told me when I was a little kid that eventually I was going to have my own trading card or be in a video game, I would be. I'd be like, you're crazy. But, yeah, it is pretty cool. I feel like it's. It's been such a, you know, quite a while now that I've in on the trading cards and in a bunch of different collectibles and things like that. So now I feel like it's. It's more just the norm, but it's. I still have to, like, zoom out and be like, man, this is. This is amazing. This is so cool.
C
What's it like? I want to focus mainly about what you're doing in cards, man. That's what this show's about. But what's something, maybe the audience or something, what's it like being a world fighter, like a world class UFC fighter? Like, what is the true mindset that maybe people don't understand about what it takes to do what you do?
B
Yeah, it's just, man, it's, it's mentality. It's like mindset is everything. And, and that's with whatever you're trying to do in life, whether it's a relationship or, you know, you're. You're trying to accomplish something in school or just get a. Get a job or a career, it's. Everything is a mindset. And for me, it's just literally hard work. It's discipline, it's consistency. I write out my goals, I know what I want to achieve, what I'm trying to achieve. And so I just get up every day and I work towards those goals, trying to become a better person, a better athlete, a better fighter, and just. Just get as close to that goal as possible. And you've heard it time and time before. I'm trying to be 1% better than I was yesterday, and it's just. It's never ending. Like, a lot of people think, you know, it's a. Anyone that's a fan of the sport, the UFC or mma, like, I've traveled the world and, you know, if they're a fan, they'll know who I am, but it's, It's a very. People think it's like this lavish lifestyle and just a bunch of, like, you know, whether they're thinking it's like partying just Crazy. But it's, it's just, it's boring. Like I, I feel like me, I live a very boring life because I can tell you when I'm in camp, I like to be in camp anywhere from like 7 to 9 to 10 weeks. If I have a fight booked and you tell, you say, I can tell you what I'm doing. Actually like six weeks out on this day at 2pm I can tell you exactly what I'm doing because I map out my entire camp. So all my training sessions, all my meals, all my recovery sessions and modalities. Like I literally. Yeah, it's, it's very boring. It's just, it's so disciplined and structured and I, but it, but it, but it's amazing. It's, it's truly. I'm blessed. I. Things that I always dreamed of doing, I've turned into reality. And that's just, that's just from hard work.
C
It's Josh. And I think they're. That what you described, you know, that people do go, oh, rock star lifestyle of a fighter or something, and think they know you work out and work hard. But I don't know, they know just how scheduled, like every minute is to be prepared, you know, to be a world class fighter. I mean, maybe there's guys that are taking it serious that aren't maybe truly professional or, you know, at the level that you've been and are, I guess. But I guess at the end of the day I think about, I know guys in business that are, you know, billionaires, millionaires, I've done well in business, but, you know, I don't climb in that ring. And so like, I think that's what I have always, like, what is the, is it one looser screw than everybody else or. I don't know what it is. I know it's bravery and mindset and all that, but I don't know how you bottle it because I don't know the difference because there's a lot of guys that probably can train like you, Josh, but can't get in that ring.
B
Yeah, yeah. And there's a lot of people, and you've heard it before, people are like, oh, this guy's getting paid that much. I'll fight Mike Tyson for this, or I'll fight anyone for this type of money. I'm like, no, you wouldn't.
C
No, you wouldn't.
B
Yeah, no, you wouldn't. You're backstage, then you start thinking, you're not thinking about the money. You're. You're like, oh, I'm not walking out there to go fight that guy. And it's like. And it's. You're under a spotlight, you know, so it's like anything you do, it's like. Then you hear all the critics and all the things. It's just like. It's a wild, wild thing. And you talk about knowing all these, like, millionaires and billionaires and people that are super successful, and this is something that kind of opened my. My mind. I. I went out and I did this little fireside chat with all these executives and, like, extremely wealthy and successful people. And I'm sitting there and I'm just talking to them like, how. How I think, how I process things. And there was. There was so many of them that were like. I couldn't stop thinking about, like, what you were saying and your mentality and your mindset when you're, like, preparing for a fight or you're stepping into the octagon. And I was like, it blew me away because I was like, isn't that how you guys think? Isn't that. That's why you guys are successful? He's like, no, we don't think like that at all. And I was like, no way. Just it. I was. I was like. I thought because they're in this position, that's why they got there. They're like, no, it's not. And so I was like, after talking to a handful of them, I was like, oh, my God. Like, he's like, I want you to come on this circuit and just, like, you know, talk to all of our. Our employees and stuff like that. And it just blew me away. I was like. And that's. That's the first time that I just really, you know, I. It was the first time that I was.
C
Dawned on you.
B
That's what you said? Yeah, it's like, it's. Maybe they don't all think like that, and they don't, you know, he's just like, oh, we just get here not saying, like, certain things are luck, but it's all about, like, you know, people, you know, and connections and things like this. And they're like, no, we. We don't think like you.
C
I'm like, no, it's. I don't want to. It's not easy. And you definitely have to have a mindset in business, and you've got to. Pete. Put the pieces together. But I don't think there's a level of preparation mentally that comes with, you know, being good in business that compares to what, again? And I've never done it. But I think I just can. I think I do a fairly good job of, like, whether it's empathy or understanding or going. Because I have those same friends have done that Mike Tyson thing, and I'm like, no, you wouldn't. And, no, I wouldn't. Like, there's not enough money, because I know what would happen. And I think maybe because I have been successful in business and I know people, I've been in pressure situations that are pressure enough, but aren't that kind of pressure that I know? Nah, that's a different. Different thing and a different sort of. I think. I don't know if you can prepare yourself completely for, again, being the brutality and the reality of fighting not for your life, but in some ways, you are kind of.
B
Yeah, I would agree with you, because every fight could be your last fight. You never know what's gonna happen in there. And it's like the unknown. It's. It's like I'm hoping everything turns out for the best, but you really don't know. I'm stepping in there. And I always say it's like. It's like flooring your sports car into a tree with no seat belt on. You hope everything turns out for the best, but you have no idea. You've seen some, like, horrible things that have happened, and it's just like, man, it's like. It is the preparation.
C
You're willing to do it, and it's a very select few that are willing to do that.
B
Yeah. And it's like, even, like, going back to the mindset, I. I work with a mind coach. I have to prep and prime myself because there's so much work that goes into it, physically and mentally and all these things. And then I have to have this little, you know, time. Fight day. I'm. I'm getting myself ready, and I'm. I'm welcoming, like, what could happen, and I'm okay with what could happen. Whether it's like, the absolute worst thing, like, physically, mentally, like, everything. Like, I'm okay. I'm about to go throw myself into the fire, but I have to. I have to be okay with it. And it's just. It's. It's a wild. It's a wild.
C
Josh. I want to turn to cards. I know you didn't have the result that you wanted this weekend. Just to put a fine, you know, kind of close on the. The fighter side of things. Where do you. Where do you plan to go from here, or have you even thought through that or just kind of, like, processing?
B
Yeah, it's like, I have to just kind of, you know, I don't know, just kind of process yourself from the
C
result and kind of like get like, level and then go, okay, what's next?
B
Yeah, pretty much. It's like, you know, we were out in Vegas and I was just, I stayed out there for a few days. I, I just got home last night and then back to Sacramento and then, yeah, I'm just, I, I literally, I'll talk to my manager soon, get things going, but for me, it's like, I already know I, I have to move on. I, I can't sit there and dwell on the past because then it'll affect me moving forward and what I want to accomplish. So obviously it wasn't my, my night. The, you know, you know, Kevin Viejos, he's a young up and comer, good kid. He'll, he'll have a lot of success. So, you know, I wish him all the best and more power to him. But, yeah, I'll get back in there. It's life, you know, it's. I just, I have to keep on, keep on getting better and keep on moving forward. That's, that's one thing that, you know, whether you're talking about maybe a screw loose or something like, I'll never stop, man. And it's, yeah, I still have a lot of goals I want to accomplish, and so I'll get back in there and I'll be back sooner than later.
C
Cole, man, I appreciate you opening up about that. I know it's tough. I mean, you're just removed. But I didn't want to, like, it's kind of like that thing, like, dude, I know it's painful, but, dude, you got the strength.
A
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H VAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock. So your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
B
When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Grainger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery, so you can keep your facility stocked, safe, and running smoothly. Call 1-800GRAINGER. Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
C
Get the mental power to do whatever the hell you want. Let's talk some cards, brother. So when did we get into trading cards? And why.
B
Yes. So going back to man 90s basketball. I was such a big football, basketball, baseball fan. I was riding my bike up to the local card shop, just buying. Basketball was mainly my, like, it was my sport. So I was a huge fan. And I still have all my original collection. I have tons of like Kobe rookies. Not, not like the really high end ones, but, you know, the decent ones that are like a thousand bucks. I have tons of him. Iverson, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan was my. One of my favorites. So I just, I loved sports, I loved basketball. And that, that's what, that's what got me into the hobby.
C
Really did. Now how many did you keep from those? Like, when you started back as an adult or it kicked back in, something probably made it. I imagine there was a pause like most people like me. Like, you had a pause in there. Like I collected growing up and then paused that. I had kids, I had boys that got into it. But how many did you hold on to?
B
Yes, it's. Yeah, exactly. I was collecting everything, even the original, you know, Pokemon cards. Like, I'm one of those. I was like, I was in like 8th grade or my freshman year when Pokemon had just come out and I'm buying all like the. The original Pokemon cards. And I have no idea where the hell those things are. They're probably in the trash. But I. But I do have like all my original basketball cards. Like, I have all those still. So I have those. And then it's like, you know, I was a collector just in general of just collectibles and like pogs and slammers back then. And then I just, I had this long lull, I guess. And then what really got me back into it was, you know, I got into the ufc and now I have my own trading card. I'm in the product. I have a lot of my friends. One of my best friends, he's. He's been in the hobby forever and his, his children are my. My God children. And he's like buying all these cards for himself, especially mine. You know, he's like buying them on ebay and. And they're outbidding all of our friends and stuff like that. And even then I was like, I kept telling him, like, hey, you guys, stop wasting your money on my cards and stuff like that. He's like, look at this. I just got this, you know, to five or whatnot. And that once they kind of. They were doing it for a few years, a bunch of my friends and my little brother and everything. And then I went down to the Burbank card show because there was Eric's name, the. The UFC card father. He had my rookie 101. And one of my friends, Alex was down there. He said, hey, Josh, he's got your. Your rookie 101. And so I was already down in Anaheim because I was going to. I was watching Ilya and Volkanovsky fight for the world title. So me and my buddy hopped Uber all the way down there and met up with him. So he's like, you're the first fighter to ever come and buy their rookie card. So he was kind of like, starstruck a little bit, but he's like, he gave me such a good deal for the. For the one on one and the to five so it can complete my rainbow. And he's like, will you just sign these cards for me? I said, oh, 100%. And then that kind of, like, really got me back into it just because, you know, for one, all my friends doing this. And then, like, once I. It just. It just brought, like, the child back out in me. I was like, oh, this is so fun. And. And then it. I went down this, you know, rabbit hole again and just like, collecting a lot of my one on ones. And then if I get the one on one, then it's like I have to complete the set, you know, or the rainbow. So I. I have multiple sets and things like that. And then it got me into, you know, just other collectibles again. I kind of got back into some Pokemon, and of course, I like Pikachu and Gengar, all the popular ones, the pricey characters. And then I'm managed by Vayner Sports. That's Gary Vaynerchuk's and. And A.J. vaynerchuk's agency. And then with Gary doing his own IP of V friends, I've been in that ecosystem for a long time, since the digital collectibles back during the pandemic. And. And so now he has his tops. V Friends. And I'm like, you know, I'm a big. I'm digging that. That community in space. I'm like, collecting V Friends, Pokemon. My buddies got me into one piece. I'm like, it's. It's been so fun, dude.
C
You're in all of it. We're a distributor for Vee Friends, and I know Gary, he's been on my business show a couple times. He's been on this show as well. So I know you know, Gary and I are, I would, I'd stop short of friends, but pretty good acquaintances. Business wise.
B
Phenomenal.
C
And well, I love. I'm staring. I was just looking at some of your friends, the super stickers. We carry those that just came out, so you probably got one within reach. Oh yeah, there you.
B
Yep, I got them all right here. I got, I got cases over there. I'm like stashing stuff.
C
I'm like, my son and I have been ripping through some of those. We got some pretty good numbered ones and some pretty good decent ones. So it's fun. Are you, are you a rip, Are you a pack ripper or are you a group buy and hold?
B
I'd say more. Yeah, I'm definitely ripping whatever I get my hands on. But to be honest, I've been really good. I've surprised myself just because like I am, I am stashing a few things but it's like, it's so hard for me because even when going back to like all the digital collectible the, the NFTs and stuff, like I, I, I own, I have several Series one and a ton of Series two. I was buying like cases of books just to get like the, the series two and, and from the original veefriends, like I think I got like 16, whatever you, if you want to call those a case or a box. And, and I was going to stash a handful of them. I ended up opening all of them and then it's, I still have. Yeah, it's just, it's, it's wild. But I, but I am doing better with a handful of stuff. I do want to open a case of the Super Stickers and then I'll. Maybe I'll keep the case. But it's. Yeah, I'm definitely ripping things when I, when I get it.
C
What's up with one punch cards? What are you doing with that? And you know, what's kind of the goal with it?
B
Yeah, so, so one punch cards. It's, you know, it's online breaking business that my buddy and I started. It's, you know, we're on whatnot and fanatics live and we're just trying to, we're just having a blast. So we're literally just trying to, you know, do do our part and you know, just, we're just like everybody else and it's, it's been a little, it's been fun just for people Because I don't know, it's like a live Q and A. It's like people come in and every single time that I'm on, people will be like, oh, I'm such a big fan. What are you, what are you doing on this show? And I'm like, you're obviously not that big a fan, otherwise you would know. It's, it's my channel. But no, we're just, we're just having a good time. And obviously the hobby and the community has been so welcoming and we're, we've been. Now, we've been breaking on online since, yeah, about like a year and a half. But we have some goals. You know, it'd be cool to have a brick and mortar and do a retail shop. It would be awesome to get, you know, a handful of, you know, breaking rooms in the back. So we could have. We want like an AM and a PM shift. We want a weekend shift. We want to just continue to grow it into a, to a business and have people on multiple platforms, almost 247 and have a physical location where people can come into and we can do different, you know, I don't know, events and meet and greets and kids can come in and just kind of hang out after school and, you know, collect and trade and, and do all these type of things. It's, it's been, it's just been so fun. And yeah, we're gonna keep on, we're gonna keep growing it.
C
What? Yeah, I mean, I did. My four boys got into it and I open retail store, literally have a grand opening this weekend. We've been open for a month, soft opening for Collector Station. And so We've got a 3,000 square foot space that's pretty much exactly what you just described.
B
Wow. And that's South Carolina, huh?
C
Yeah, South Carolina. We're on the other end of the spectrum here. But it's fun. We got lots of space for people to come in and do and, you know, we kind of our taglines trade night every day because we've got space where, you know, you know how old school card shops are. You know, some of them are like 10 by 10. It's like get in, get out. You know, we got tons of space and tables and it feels almost like a sports bar. But it's a trading card store. You know, we've got TVs, big screens and lots of places for people to kind of hang out and do trades and rip stuff. And then we did some breaking before the show. But the last, I mean, before the Store opened, but the last four months, we've been getting the store ready. So then we're going to start back on the breaking side. But what are you guys breaking? Are you UFC stuff, or is it all over the map?
B
Yeah, right. Right now we're with, obviously with Tops and fanatics. We. We have partnership with them, and we're predominantly one of the combat division, so we're doing mostly ufc, we're doing wwe and then. But we want to break. We want to break everything, you know. Yeah, we have to build up that clientele. Right now, our clientele is predominantly, you know, UFC and wwe. But it's like anytime there's. There's cars, like, even me being part of the Friends and stuff, when we were ripping V Friends early on, you know, the Tops, Chrome, V Friends, people come in and we have some. Some breakers that, you know, that they like. Our friend Anthony ap, he breaks. He's helping us out right now. Just because in camp, I can't. I'm not going to go on that as much. You know what I mean? So it's. He's. He's holding it down, and he's a huge baseball and football fan. So we just. We just want to build that clientele just because some of the product is obviously more expensive and we can. We would like to. Even if we're just breaking even, you know, building that clientele are losing a little bit, we're okay with that. But, yeah, it's. We want to get into everything.
C
Yeah. How often when you aren't, like, in camp or training or something, how often will you jump on, like, a break?
B
Yeah, we have a studio, so typically at least one. Once or twice a week, you know. Okay, twice a week.
C
That would be sweet. If you're, you know, if you're a fan or whatever. That's. I mean, that's the cool crossover that's kind of going on. You seeing athletes and, you know, superstars and sports like yours and what you're doing, and then in other ones where, you know, you're like, oh, shit, it's Carl Anthony Towns. Like, you never know who's going to pop up at a break.
B
And that's what we're trying to do things a little different. So, like, the way we set it up, we were doing almost like a. Kind of like a podcast. Podcast. Stylish. Like, it's like.
C
Yep.
B
Like my. My best friend and I always say my. My wife and best friend know me better than I do. I get hit in the head for a living. So I'm like, they'll be like. Though he'll be saying stuff such in detail, like, you remember this like from 18 years ago? I'm like, no, how the hell do you remember that? But it's like they, I don't know. We do certain things and like we've had fighters on and stuff because I can, you know, have some of like my friends and teammates come on. So we've like Clay Gui to come on my boxing coach. We've done Anthony Fluffy Hernandez and Max Payne Griffin. They came on and like, we're just doing like different games and, and then having them open, you know, open packs and stuff and rip some, some boxes too. So we're just, we're trying to be like a little different. But still, you know, obviously people are tuning in because they, they want us to, you know, crack a case or a hobby box of whatever and pull a favorite card. But people think that are true fans, they. They think it's amazing. And, and we always try to ask for feedback too from like everyone that comes into our streams. We're like, do you guys like this type of stuff? And they're like, oh, we love it. Please keep doing this. So we are mindful of like what we're doing as long as, you know, the, the client wants. We just want to know what the client wants as well and stuff like that.
C
Yeah, I love that. Man, you're smart. I've. I've been, you know, I've. I've in the business and been in the ad game and you know, got in with my boys into this. But I've often thought you've got a live audience here and yeah, we can't like, throw the baby out with the bathwater. They're here to buy cards or to see cool things, you know, ripped. And they can buy in more affordably maybe than buying a huge hobby box or multiple. But you've got an entertainment platform, you have the screen and how can we, you know, leverage the screen and that attention in different ways while also doing commerce? So I think it's smart as hell. And I've often thought about that because we're in South Carolina and I went to Clemson and Clemson's really close and I'm pretty connected to the program and a lot of the big athletes there and I want to start doing like rips where, you know, a couple of the big guys that are on the team, you know, and now that they can do nil and get paid or different things, have them breaking with me, you know, and that's, you Know, just as a surprise and delight kind of for the audience. And sometimes you might, you might promote it on one hand and on the others if it's big enough. And you know, you got a lot of people, they just kind of slide in. It's like, oh, yeah, yeah.
B
And that's some. Even, even with the crossover of like, all the sports and like me being in the ufc, it's like there's so many, like, I know of, like, really big stars in all sports that they come to my fights and watch me fight and things like that. And like, I always think about like, oh, maybe when we get into football, we could have so and so kind of co host and like, hop in. It would just blow people's minds too, you know, and, and me just bringing on different. I can bring a lot of people from the UFC on and we, we've been doing that and you know, and some of the, the guys that we bring on are so funny. Just that naturally that's how they are. And just character is like, it's just, it's. It's hilarious too. So the, yeah, the, the fans and everyone, they're, they're super excited. They like what we're doing, and so we're gonna, we want to continue to expand and just like, I don't know, we just want to do more and more and just make it unique. And that's, that's something that I always like, like you said, even though they're there to, to buy cards and stuff, like, I, I like to be a little different and not just do the same stuff everyone else is doing. Like, I like to be like, kind of stand. Stand out and do my own thing or even, like, you know how there's a lot of athletes that hop on to certain streams and sometimes they'll break or they're into the hobby, but there's no athlete like out there that's consistently doing what I'm doing, like hopping on one to two times a week and. Yeah, and then they go into all the, all the events, going to like, the local card shows and I go to like, my card shops and then going to like, the big events. Like, I want to go to the national this last year, but I just had, you know, I was gonna fight shortly after, so it's always like, you know, as long as I don't have any, like, conflict with my schedule. We went to Fanatics Fest last year. That was amazing. I want to, I want to compete in the, in the, you know, the competition, but I'm going to try to go out fanatics fest this this year as well. That was a. That was a blast.
C
Yeah. I was with my boys at both of those and will be this year as well. We'll have to hook up if you end up doing that. Talking with Josh Emmett, UFC superstar and co founder, I believe that's the right term of one punch cards. Said, I heard you and a friend. I don't know if that means you're the founder or y' all the co founders of one Punch.
B
It's all the same.
C
All the same. What's your biggest pull? Like ripping cards? Well, it's like, okay, what did you pull out of your own pack? That was either the most meaningful or most valuable for myself. Yeah.
B
Or something else.
C
Yeah, either way. You can answer that. Either way. Hey, I pulled a $20,000 this or I. Or you just pulled something that was like, oh shit, this is cool. Yeah.
B
I think for like going back to. Even when we're just breaking for some of like, you know, the clients and stuff, it's neat that they can get into a break for that's a lot more affordable. You know, instead of, you know, hobby boxes are expensive. But even just some of the UFC fans like we, there was a product, it was like a case break. Someone bought in for 30, I think it was like $30. And then we would do a lot of random fighters too, you know, just so it's like, you know, so people aren't priced out. People still when you're doing pick your fighter, pick your team, it's like you want that. It's like obviously the best team or fighter. It's like it's expensive. And so then that the people that maybe can't afford that, they can never get that. So we do a lot of random fighters. This guy bought it for 30 bucks. He hit Islam Mahacha if you know the pound for pound number one. Yeah, 170 or he was 55 and 70 champion. Yeah, we pulled him a one of one auto. It was like a $4,500 car. The kid bought it for bought it for like 30 bucks. And so I don't know, I, I would. I was so like excited for him because it's like obviously we, when we rip something, we want to pull everyone heat, we want to pull everyone fire. And it's like something sometimes that's not the case. But it's like the kid was so damn happy and he was, he was like actually at work, he's like, oh mom, I'm on my break and all this stuff. I'M gonna go home. I'm gonna quit.
C
I said, yeah, don't do that.
B
Yeah, you don't want to do that. Another thing is too. That was really cool. And that same thing. We, you know, sometimes make mistakes, but we own it. You know, it's like we. Someone wanted a certain fighter, and for whatever reason, someone else bought him. But it. Something had happened where it was our fault. Crap. We messed up. So we just told them, hey, tomorrow when we break, why don't you just come into our show? We're just gonna gift you this fighter for free. And so we did just that. We ended up pulling. And that's his PC. We ended up pulling him a 101. And it was his PC. He's like, my fur. And so this day, he always pops in and tells a story, and he's just like, I don't know. It's just. It makes. I don't know. It makes us feel good because we're happy. We're happy for, like. Yeah, when we pull people big, big cars, we want to do it for everyone. But as far as me pulling, like, a. Out of a pack, I feel like probably when I was doing the Cactus Jack pull, the Paul Skiings Rookie. Yeah, I think it was to 52. That was probably big. I feel like I don't have, like, the best luck when I'm. When I'm ripping my own ripping packs and stuff like that. So now I just. If I want something, I usually I'll just, you know, go to a card shop and buy. Or ebay, and I'll just buy the car that I want. But I have had a lot of success with the friends, you know, So I opened, like, a handful of cases of those and got some cards, and then I'm trying to complete a set. So I have a French bulldog. And so, like, the. The badass bulldog is like, my favorite character. So I'm. I'm hoping. I don't think they've surfaced yet, but there's a. I. I need the both the 101s to complete the rainbow. Like, the blast off from the blasters, and then, of course, the. The super fracture. So if you see those out there, hey, I'm a buyer when they come out.
C
All right, I'll have to look through this and see if I've gotten any of that out of the newest. Are they. Are they in the new super stickers? The badass Bulldog.
B
But it's in the. It's in the. The first. The tops, chrome.
C
I. I have a fair amount of the first set, I don't have to look back through it. Maybe have something good. I'll send them.
B
But I. But I need that. I need those two. The. The Blast Off 101 and the super back to 101 to complete the rainbow.
C
I don't know that I have those but I might have something. I think I know about a 101 laying around.
B
What is your favorite character out of or some of your favorite characters out of?
C
I mean I like the black cat because he's worth so much.
B
Yeah.
C
You know I'm like. And yeah. And it's kind of interesting. I. I sort of. I don't know. I think when I. I don't know this to be true, but when I think of a black cat, I think of like something that goes to their. Be their own drum. And that's been me my whole life. So like I think I relate to that, you know.
B
No, I. I'm the same thing. Like I like. Like obviously I. I PC certain things just because like I do like it. But then a lot of times like you're talking about like from that it's like okay, the black cats, like it's like it is their mascot. It's like the Pikachu. And so it's like.
C
Yeah.
B
And it's valuable. So like a lot of. So I have the whole like rainbow set. You know what I mean? Like I have them all, you know, just because like the whole little. Yeah.
C
But it's funny you say you've been ripping through it.
B
Great mindset.
C
Yeah. The life of it to close out. Josh, I know you've got a tight schedule. We got a little fun. Rapid fire. I'll. I'll go through four quick things. You give me a quick take. Is that cool? Yeah.
B
Let's try it.
C
Favorite card in your collection,
B
My rookie. One of one. Man, it's tough because so, so I have two. I know it's not rapid fire but I have my. My. My rookies sets. There's two of them. There's one from Topps Chrome and there's one from Knockout. So the one with the rc, I have the whole rainbow of my. It's a one on one gold rookie with the RC on there. But I also have my rookie year in Topps Chrome and it's a super fracture. So it's kind of hard for me to go against like the super fracture or that. But it's. It's my rookie one on ones.
C
I'd say I like it. I don't know how you know, I Hear of all these people, like, the players in any sport that don't have any of their own cards. And I'm like, how could you not want your best cards? Right? Understand that.
B
Let me. Let me show you real quick, though, since. So here's the. This is from Pop Knockout. This is. It's a 9, but it's a. See, that's. It has an RC on there. That's my. My rookie. But then it's so between that, like, I have the whole. Obviously the. The whole rainbow, but I. How can you.
C
Oh, yeah.
B
Oh, super.
C
Yeah.
B
And this rookie year as well.
C
So it's like I have you watching on YouTube, folks. You got to see this. Josh is holding up his 101s here.
B
So those are like, ah, it's so tough. But I. I'll never get rid of the. Either of those sets. So I'd say even though you asked for one, I got two.
C
All right. One card you want, but don't have,
B
But I'm gonna get. It's the. The Mario and Luigi Pikachu sequential gym mint tens. Yeah, it's a 2016 XY promos. I'll get those eventually. I was just bidding on them too, and I got outbid. I'm like, damn it. Like, a few weeks ago.
C
How would you compare the UFC market versus other sports?
B
I think the UFC market is still in, like, an infancy stage. You know, I. I think it's. Some of the. The cards are undervalued. But I. I think, you know, people didn't even know that there's UFC cars. Feel like there's UFC cards. So I think. I think we're. We're so early. Yeah, you're starting to see things, and just, like, the quality of the cards or what tops does is phenomenal. So I think, yeah, we're very early. I'll say.
C
Great. Nascent market. That's how I would describe that means buy now. Well, it's low rip packs or buy singles. It's tough.
B
I love to do both. I feel like with my luck, I need to buy singles because when I wear packs, I typically don't get what I want.
C
It's all, hey, it's the experience. It's like one of the movies, you know? Like, opening the pack is about the entertainment. That's what we tell people. Like, this is an entertainment, and you actually get something for that entertainment. Sometimes you just. You get nothing. Like, you do a scratch off card. You don't get shit. You either get, you know, a thousand bucks or nothing.
B
I'll say It's a love hate relationship. It's like one of the things that like I went and bought a hobby box of one piece and you know, I didn't really get anything. And then the last pack, you know, last pack magic. I actually pulled one of the. It was the monkey D. Luffy wanted posters.
C
Yeah.
B
It looks clean. That was one of the. Like that card paid for the whole box. You know, I did.
C
I opened one mega box before I went to bed last night.
B
Okay.
C
Of Don Russ football newest and popped a downtown Brian Thomas Jr. So yeah, it was a good night.
B
Like you just touched it on that. Like it's like when we. We open stuff, we have like an extra. We have a hobby box left. And we're like, oh, we should just open this as like, you know, my friend and I or like Anthony who breaks for us because like we. Something's in there. And then we're like, oh no, let's just sell it. Because we, you know, we don't do a lot of Percy's anymore. And so it's like. And then every time we do that, like because you're talking about the downtown. We. We're like, oh screw. We'll just. We'll just rip this for everyone else. And then it was A to 10 Travis Kelsey Downtown.
C
That's a big one. I pulled a Josh Allen gold downtown last 18 months ago. That's the best card I've ever pulled. And yeah, but that one was for. That one was for daddy. For nobody else. He's my favorite player. Yeah. Irony in that. Josh. It's been a lot of fun. Let's do it again soon. Tell. Tell everyone where they can learn more about one punch cards and everything else you got going on besides the obvious. Easy way to find you on the video games on the cards. But give them some deets.
B
Yeah. If anyone wants to kind of follow along in the like our. Our card journey. One punch cards. You can find us on Instagram. It's one punch cards. We have a X account and a Facebook and anything that I'm involved in or doing, you can always go to joshimmet.com or follow me on my socials. Josh, Emmett, UFC everywhere.
C
It's been a pleasure, brother. All the best of luck to you in the future and can't thank you enough for your time, man.
B
Well, thanks, Ryan. Yeah, no, I had a great time. And then. Yeah. I'll have to hit you up when. Yeah. Go out to South Carolina. Yeah.
C
Yeah. Get out here at the stop in.
B
Yeah. Check out. Come up.
C
Come check out the store and we'll do some breaks or do some, do something on camera and maybe tell people and you know, keep it to a light crowd driving you crazy that want an autograph or something. But you never know. There's a lot of USC fans around here.
B
That'd be amazing. Yeah, that'd be a lot of fun.
C
Yeah, let's. We'll coordinate that. Bill and I will stay in touch and so let's definitely hook up if you end up at the national and Fanatics Fest over the summer and we'll figure something out, brother. Best luck to you. Appreciate it, bro. Thanks for tuning in to the show. Be sure to follow us on your go to podcast platform and catch the full video episode over on YouTube. Visit us@collectornation.com and follow Ryan on Instagram at Ryan Alford now get out there and collect yours.
B
With Vrbo's last minute deals, you can save over $50 on your spring getaway. So whether it's a Mountain Escape City break or a week at the beach, there's still time to get great discounts. Book your next day now. Average savings $72.00 select homes only.
A
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H Vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
UFC Fighter Turned Hobby Breaker: Josh Emmett on Building One Punch Cards
Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Josh Emmett (UFC Fighter & Co-Founder, One Punch Cards)
This episode features UFC featherweight Josh Emmett, who shares his journey from collecting cards as a kid to becoming a prominent member of the modern card-breaking community with his venture, One Punch Cards. Host Ryan Alford dives into what it's really like to be an elite fighter and cross over into the collectibles space, touching on discipline, culture, collecting stories, entrepreneurship, and the intersection between sports and the hobby.
| Timestamp | Segment | Highlight | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:53 | Mindset & Discipline | Josh details his regimen and the reality of a fighter's life | | 10:40 | Risk & Preparation in Fighting | "It's like flooring your sports car into a tree with no seatbelt on..." | | 16:07 | Card Collecting Beginnings | Childhood collecting in 90s basketball and Pokémon | | 17:35 | Buying His Own Rookie Card | The story of meeting the "UFC card father" and buying the 1/1 rookie card | | 21:49 | Launching One Punch Cards | Purpose and approach—breaking, fun, community | | 22:37 | Vision for a Physical Shop | A community-focused hub for breaking and collecting | | 27:01 | Unique Streaming Approach | Making the break shows podcast-like, bringing in guests | | 32:17 | Big Pull Story | Fan hits $4,500 card from $30 random fighter break | | 33:51 | Customer-Centric Approach | Making up for a mistake with a free spot—pulling a 1/1 for fan's PC | | 40:16 | UFC Market Perspective | Josh’s analysis of card value and hobby’s early stage | | 41:04 | Singles vs. Packs Philosophy | Prefers buying singles but can’t deny the thrill of packs | | 43:37 | Where to Find Josh and One Punch Cards | Social handles and shop links |
Josh and Ryan wrap by discussing how to follow their card journeys, connecting at shows, and growing community around the hobby.
Connect with Josh Emmett & One Punch Cards:
For anyone interested in either the world of MMA or collectibles, this episode delivers a rare, inside look from someone thriving on both sides of the ring.