Rafael Dos Anjos To Defend UFC Title Vs. Conor McGregor

Shortly after defending his UFC lightweight title at Amway Center on Dec. 19, Rafael dos Anjos stated that he would welcome Conor McGregor to the division for a big-money fight for the title.

RAFAEL DOS ANJOS TO DEFEND UFC TITLE VS. CONOR MCGREGOR

Dos Anjos will now have his chance to do so. According to Bleacher Report, he will meet McGregor for the 155-pound lightweight championship at UFC 197 on March 5 in Las Vegas for what is sure to be one of the most exciting matchups in recent UFC history. McGregor will maintain his 145-pound bantamweight championship and defend it at a later date.

At this same event, Holly Holm will make the first defense of the title she won after defeating Ronda Rousey and will face Miesha Tate.

Dos Anjos won the lightweight title last March and successfully defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in his first defense in Orlando. This fight lasted just 66 seconds. McGregor’s last fight was even shorter: a one-punch knockout of Jose Aldo one week before.

Only two fighters have ever won championships in two different UFC weight classes: Randy Couture and B.J. Penn. Neither of them has ever held two titles concurrently.

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 12: Conor McGregor celebrates after a first-round knockout victory over Jose Aldo in their featherweight title fight during UFC 194 on December 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)