Conor McGregor vs. Rafael Dos Anjos Confirmed For UFC 197
After a day of back-and-forth rumors and speculation that UFC 197’s proposed blockbuster lightweight title fight between current UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor and 155-pound champ Rafael dos Anjos had been postponed for a variety of supposed reasons, it appears the hugely sought-after bout is back on for its original date.
McGregor just took to Facebook to announce the fight has been confirmed with a rather ‘patriotic’ picture of dos Anjos:
OFFICIAL FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT:Conor McGregor Vs Rafael Dos Anjos for the UFC Lightweight World Championship.March 5th….
Posted by Conor McGregor on Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The event is set to take place March 5 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is also slated for an absolutely blockbuster co-main event, as well, as women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will take on Miesha Tate as rumored. The UFC confirmed the supercard on their website and announced it on social media with a bold image of the poster:
So one of the biggest fights of the year has been confirmed, postponed, and then confirmed again in the span of five days. Top featherweight contender Frankie Edgar was probably wishing that it would get canceled, but it looks he’ll unfortunately wait for his shot at McGregor. On the other hand, he may not have to, as the ‘Notorious’ could be headed up to 155 pounds for good in order to stop going through the rigorous weight cut to 145; especially if he wins.
That would potentially open the door for Edgar vs. Aldo for the vacant featherweight belt as UFC President Dana White has alluded to, but the notoriously shifty head man has also said McGregor could keep his 145-pound title and defend both if he wins the lightweight strap as well.
Regardless of what happens, it’s clear that there’s no attraction like Conor McGregor in the UFC, and he could be on his way to achieving one of the most historical feats in MMA history if he becomes the first fighter to ever hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously. He’ll have to get past a brutalizing challenge in dos Anjos to do so first, however.
Who is your pick to win this pivotal lightweight war?
