Dos Anjos vs. McGregor, Holm vs. Tate set for UFC 197

Rappler tried to reach the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization for confirmation, but UFC officials declined to comment.

The dream card would provide ample coverage for the company as it heads towards UFC 200, where McGregor (at the very least) is expected to fight again.

Sporting News has been able to confirm – first reported by Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Bottner – that UFC 197 will feature two blockbuster championship fights: UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor vs. UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm vs. No. 2-ranked Miesha Tate.

According to a source close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity, verbal agreements are in place, but the bout agreements have not been signed.

Conor McGregor will make his first trip into the cage following his record-setting KO of Jose Aldo against Rafael dos Anjos.

McGregor (19-2) won the 145-pound title last month at UFC 194 with a stunning, 13-second knockout of longtime champion Jose Aldo.

Dos Anjos (23-7) is coming off his own first round stoppage win in the form of a 66-second TKO over Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 17 in December.

The UFC 197 pay-per-view card is scheduled to take place at a yet-to-be-determined location in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 6 (March 5 in US).

UFC 197 will take place at either Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena or Mandalay Bay Events Center, sources said.

Holm earned the women’s bantamweight title with a second-round knockout of Ronda Rousey in November. Originally, the UFC had intended on going with an immediate rematch between Holm and Ronda Rousey, however due to Rousey’s inability to return to the Octagon when preferred, they pulled the trigger on the Holm-Tate bout. Tate hasn’t fought since a decision win against Jessica Eye in July. Tate is a former Strikeforce champion who has won four straight since dropping her first two UFC bouts to Cat Zingano and Rousey.