Few figures embody Israel’s passion for combat sports like Yaniv Kaminski, a broadcaster, analyst and the proud owner of Israel’s largest UFC and MMA memorabilia collection. With more than 300 signed items, Kaminski describes his collection not as an investment but as “a personal Hall of Fame — poetry in motion.”
Born in the U.S. and raised in Israel, Kaminski found his calling through K1 kickboxing and Muay Thai before fully embracing MMA as the sport evolved. While living near Los Angeles, he often drove four hours to Las Vegas — “the fighting capital of the world” — to attend major events.
“About 95% of my collection was signed face-to-face,” he says. “It’s about being there, sharing the moment.”
His familiarity with fighters and media crews often earned him backstage access, making him a recognizable figure among UFC fans long before social media amplified his presence.
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Autographed portraits of UFC fighters, including Dominick Reyes, Chris Weidman, Tatiana Suarez and Megan Olivi
(Photo: Bar Gindy)
The passion began with a nudge from his father, Erez Kaminski, a long-time sports memorabilia collector who pushed Yaniv to start collecting autographs rather than just taking photos with athletes.
A major turning point came in 2011, when Kaminski attended a UFC Expo and returned home with around 30 signed promotional posters. Only later did he realize that some of these signatures belonged to fighters who would become global stars.
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A signed photograph of UFC fighter Al Iaquinta bearing the message 'You better not f***ing boo me'
(Photo: Bar Gindy)
Among his most prized pieces are a UFC 1 belt (1993) signed by Royce Gracie, a personalized note from his professional inspiration journalist Ariel Helwani and a rare Conor McGregor autograph, currently his most valuable piece.
“McGregor is the only fighter my mom recognizes,” Kaminski quipped. “That says it all.”
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A signed poster of UFC star Conor McGregor, titled 'The Baddest Man on the Planet'
(Photo: Bar Gindy)
Kaminski’s collection also reflects his principles. Fighters expressing anti-Israel or antisemitic views are immediately removed. One example is Bryce Mitchell, whose memorabilia Kaminski discarded following public remarks. He also recalls disappointing encounters — notably with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who was rude on multiple occasions. “It’s not just about owning the item — it’s about the story behind it.”
When asked about who he regards as the greatest fighter of all time, Kaminski doesn’t hesitate: Anderson “The Spider” Silva. “He was the Ronaldinho of MMA,” Kaminski says. “He turned fighting into art.”
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Yaniv Kaminski, left, poses with Bar Gindy in front of a wall of autographed UFC memorabilia at Kaminski’s personal collection room
(Photo: Bar Gindy)
Today, Kaminski’s mission extends beyond collecting. He co-hosts the popular Knockout podcast with Olga Rubin, Israel’s most accomplished female fighter, and broadcasts ONE Championship (Muay Thai) every Friday on Channel 49.
With an estimated 200,000 martial-arts practitioners across Israel, Kaminski believes the country is ready for global recognition. He names several promising fighters — including the Gordon brothers, Ilay Barzilai, Sato Koren and Polina Grossman, a kickboxer transitioning to MMA to become Israel’s first UFC champion.
Beyond the gloves and posters, Kaminski sees his collection as a bridge between Israel and the global MMA community. His archives tell the evolution of a sport — and the identity of a nation learning to fight its way onto the world stage.
“Every autograph is a piece of history,” he concludes. “And every story deserves to be remembered.”
- For more stories from Yaniv and other collectors, check out the People and Collectors podcast. The full interview is available with English subtitles and 50 other languages.