While not yet official, rumors are surfacing, swirling, and flying around that UFC 197, on March 5th , could be a historical night, and might be headlined by 2 world championship battles.
What is expected to be the main event will see UFC Featherweight World Champion, Conor McGregor (19-2) , moving up a weight class to challenge Rafael Dos Anjos (25-7) for the UFC Lightweight World Championship. McGregor will be the first fighter in the UFC since BJ Penn at UFC 94, to be allowed to try and win a 2nd title, while holding one in a different weight class. McGregor is 7-0 in the octagon with 5 straight knock out wins including taking the UFC Featherweight Championship from Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in just 13 seconds. Dos Anjos has won 10 of 11 and 5 straight; including retaining his Championship at UFC on Fox 17 with a 66 seocnd TKO win over Donald Cerrone.
The co-main event will see former Strikeforec champion Miesha “CupCake” Tate (17-5) challenging Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm (10-0) for the UFC Woman’s Bantamweight Championship of the World. Tate has not fought since July of 2015, when she won her 4th fight in a row, with a unanimous decision win over Jessica Eye; in what was at the time being called a number one contender fight. Tate was instead passed over for the title shot, that went to former multiple time Boxing World Champion, undefeated in MMA Holly Holm; who at UFC 193 landed the kick heard around the world dethroning Ronda Rousey of the title.
It’s expected that UFC 197 will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada; at either the the MGM Grand Garden Arena or Mandalay Bay Event Center. More details to come when an official announcement is made.
