McGregor, Holm headline UFC 197 at MGM Grand
One of the worst kept secrets in mixed martial arts finally has been confirmed.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Tuesday that two title fights will headline UFC 197 on March 5 at the MGM Grand Garden.
The card will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Rafael dos Anjos and featherweight champ Conor McGregor, as well as a women's bantamweight title bout between champion Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.
McGregor is seeking to become the first fighter in UFC history to concurrently hold belts in two weight classes. He knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to unify the featherweight title at UFC 194 on Dec. 12 at the MGM Grand.
Holm won the belt with a second-round knockout of Ronda Rousey in November in Australia. UFC president Dana White had announced that Holm's first title defense would be a rematch against Rousey at UFC 200 on July 9, but Holm continued to lobby for a fight before then.
She will get her wish against Tate, who has won four straight fights since losing to Rousey in December 2013.
News of the event was first reported last week, but UFC officials declined to publicly confirm the details until Tuesday.
The UFC formally requested the date with the Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamilllvrj
