Report: McGregor, Holm to compete at UFC 197 in Las Vegas
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is bringing another massive pay-per-view-event to Las Vegas, according to several reports.
UFC 197, which was previously rumored to take place in Rio de Janeiro, will now take place in Las Vegas on March 5 and feature two major title fights.
Featherweight champion Conor McGregor will challenge lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight belt and women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm will defend her belt for the first time against Miesha Tate.
Bleacher Report first reported the news, which was later confirmed by ESPN.com. Sources close to the organization told the Review-Journal plans for the event have not been finalized and bout agreements have not been signed. No venue has been announced, though it is expected to take place at either MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay.
McGregor won the featherweight belt with a 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo in December. He will keep the 145-pound belt while attempting to win the 155-pound title. McGregor could become the third fighter to win UFC titles in two different weight classes and the first to do so concurrently.
Dos Anjos retained the lightweight belt with a first-round knockout of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in Orlando, Fla., in December.
Holm earned the women's bantamweight title with a second-round knockout of Ronda Rousey in November. UFC officials have maintained Holm's first title defense would be a rematch against Rousey at UFC 200 in July, but Holm has been steadfast in her desire to fight before that date.
Tate, who has won four straight since losing to Rousey for the second time, believed she had earned the title shot that Holm was given and eventually took advantage of in Australia.
No other fights have been announced for the card. Rousey, who will host "Saturday Night Live" on Jan. 23, is still expected to get an immediate title shot when she is ready to return to action.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
