UFC Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and UFC Bantamweight champion Holly Holm will both defend their titles at UFC 197 in an already blockbuster card.
After rumors spread rampantly last week of these phenomenally stacked matchups at the UFC 197 pay-per-view, the UFC confirmed the bouts Tuesday morning on their website.
Conor McGregor (19-2, 6-0 in UFC) won the UFC Featherweight title at UFC 194 after dismantling the former champion in Aldo in just 13 seconds setting the record for the fastest finish in a UFC title fight. Not soon after the win, Conor made it known that he wished to move up a weight class and challenge for the UFC Lightweight title all while still remaining the 145 lb champ, claiming he could pull double duty with both straps if successful. Conor will now get the chance to make that a reality.
Dos Anjos (25-7, 14-5 in UFC) is coming off a fantastic performance against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone where he defended the lightweight strap for the first time. Right after the victory, he among many fighters that night called out the featherweight champ and he will now get his wish.
Holly Holm (10-0, 3-0 in UFC) will also be getting her wish granted, not soon after pulling off arguably the biggest upset of 2015 when she knocked out Ronda Rousey. Holm had been very vocal about fighting sooner rather than later waiting until the summer to rematch Rousey. She will get her wish in facing Miesha Tate (17-5, 4-2 in UFC) who many fans feel should have gotten the first crack at Rousey in November after racking up four straight wins and even being promised the shot by Dana White himself.
UFC 197 takes place on March 5th in Las Vegas. No other bouts have been announced for this card.
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Insane card, I would literally pay $50 just for these two fights alone. This is easily the toughest fight in either division for Mcgregor stylistically. Dos Anjos power and explosiveness along with his elite grappling can give Mcgregor some serious issues. As for Holm vs Tate, it’s going to be a lot more competitive than I think some people will admit. Yes Holm destroyed Rousey, but Tate poses a different set of problems. Her takedowns are much more wrestling orientated instead of clinch takedowns that Rousey likes to try, super pumped to see who wins this one.