It's Official: Conor McGregor Vs Rafael Dos Anjos At UFC 197

The UFC's worst kept secret has been officially confirmed. World featherweight champion, Dubliner Conor McGregor, is set to face the lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos from Brazil, for the 155-pound belt. UFC 197 will take place in what is quickly becoming Irishman's second home, Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 5.

As if one title fight weren't enough to draw huge pay-per-view numbers, the newly crowned bantamweight champion Holly Holm, will square off against perennial Top 3 fighter, Meisha Tate.

McGregor's last appearance at UFC 194, versus Jose Aldo, was an astonishingly brief one. After nearly twelve months of of shit-talking, the Crumlin native required only thirteen seconds to clatter the Brazilian champion to the canvas with his trademark straight-left counter-punch, ending Aldo's decade-long dominance over the 145-pound division.

In the post-fight press conference, the Irishman had one principal talking point. “I’m looking to emulate what I achieved in my previous promotion and collect two different belts, two different weight divisions, hold them consecutively, defend them consecutively and carry on,” McGregor said.

The two opponents Mystic Mac had in his scope, Rafael Dos Anjos and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone, themselves fought for the lightweight belt, just seven days after Conor's victory. To be brutally honest, it was a mauling. The Brazilian immediately pressured 'Cowboy' towards the fence with a salvo of punches. Cerrone, clearly hurt, shuffled helplessly around the octagon, half-heartedly throwing counters. The defending champion, Dos Anjos, then landed a crushing body kick to the American's liver, making it clear that the end was nigh. Under a barrage of punches, Cerrone soon stumbled and fell to his knees in the centre of the octagon, leading to a referree's stoppage. The Cowboy had been corralled by the Brazilan bull.

“Hey Mr. McGregor, if you want to come to the lightweight division, this is my division,” Dos Anjos told UFC.com. “It’s better to stay in the featherweight division. I would fight you in Brazil, I will go to Ireland to face you there, whatever you want — I’m here to stay.”

The two men asked for each other and their wishes came true. However, this is a serious step-up in class for McGregor. At a glance, the Brazilian's UFC record might not appear to be impressive – but trust me, it's not the usual UFC fight-hype bullshit when you hear that this man is the most formidable fighter Conor McGregor has ever faced. Mystic Mac should be extremely careful what he wishes for.