Brace yourself, but UFC 196 looks like it might just be a blockbuster.
Bleacher Report on Thursday indicated that UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will put his belt on the line against featherweight champ Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 196, while women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm will face Miesha Tate in the night’s co-feature.
MMAjunkie subsequently confirmed the likely bookings with multiple people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly speak on such matters. Verbal agreements are said to be in place though bout agreements have yet to be finalized.
UFC officials declined comment when contacted by MMAjunkie. However, and official announcement is expected soon.
UFC 196 is scheduled for March 5 and was originally expected to take place in Rio de Janeiro. However, multiple sources have indicated the card will now take place in Las Vegas, though it’s currently unclear if Sin City’s MGM Grand Garden Arena or Mandalay Bay Events Center will play host.
UFC President Dana White alluded to the potential for both contests earlier this week during an appearance on FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight,” declaring first that Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) wasn’t interested in waiting around for former champ Ronda Rousey (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) for a planned summer booking. That opened the way for a contest with top contender Tate (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC), who was promised a 2015 title shot but was pushed aside in favor of Holm.
White also revealed he was “interested” in seeing McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) move to 155 pounds to face dos Anjos (25-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) without first giving up his featherweight crown, as the Irishman has vowed to stay busy enough to defend both belts.
For more on UFC 196, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
