Sources: McGregor vs. dos Anjos, Holm vs. Tate expected for UFC 197
It appears UFC 197 will turn out to be one of the biggest cards of the year with Conor McGregor expected to meet lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event with women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm targeted for a showdown with Miesha Tate on the same night.
The news of the main and co-main event for the card on March 5 was first reported by Bleacher Report with multiple sources also confirming the plans to FOX Sports on Thursday. At this point, verbal agreements are in place from the four fighters expected to headline the card although no contracts have been issued.
UFC 197 was originally expected to take place in Brazil, but plans changed and the event has now shifted to Las Vegas. An exact location for the card hasn't been announced as of yet.
The card is expected to feature only the second champion-versus-champion bout in UFC history as McGregor moves up from featherweight to challenge for the 155-pound title when he meets dos Anjos in March.
McGregor has been on an absolute tear since arriving in the UFC, but this will be his biggest test to date as he takes on a very dangerous lightweight champion, who is riding a five-fight win streak, including back-to-back title bouts against Anthony Pettis and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
McGregor most recently knocked out former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in December before making the announcement that he planned to move up a weight class and then challenge for the lightweight title as well.
In addition to McGregor vs. dos Anjos, UFC 197 is also expected to feature women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm in her first title defense against Miesha Tate.
Holm just recently signed a new multi-fight contract with the promotion, and UFC president Dana White revealed on "UFC Tonight" on Wednesday that she would defend her belt before facing former champion Ronda Rousey in a rematch.
Tate has been clamoring for a shot at the belt following her recent four-fight win streak and now it appears she will get her opportunity.
Both bouts are tentatively set but the UFC has yet to confirm either fight so anything could still change ahead of the card's official announcement.
