Just a week after UFC 196 came to a thundering halt, officials have released the first few fights for the next pay-per-view event, and it's looking even tastier. UFC 196 line-up was exciting due to the McGregor fight and a blockbuster Holly Holm title defence against Miesha Tate - but there are three huge bouts for MMA fans to salivate over for the next few weeks. UFC 197 will also be in Vegas, on April 23rd.
We had been given plenty of warning but now that the main card has been officially set, MMA fans can really start to get excited.
The main event for the night? Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones returns in a title defence against Daniel Cormier. It's Jones' first fight since being stripped of his title following his arrest for a hit-and-run incident. He will be facing defending champion Daniel Cormier who he beat by unanimous decision at UFC 182, and who beat Anthony Johnson to claim Jones' vacated title at UFC 187. Jones is the no. 1 pound for pound figher in the UFC rankings while Cormier is ranked ninth.
The co-main event is also a title match featuring the no.2 pound for pound fighter Demetrious Johnson. The flyweight champion will face an undefeated challenger and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo.
A potential McGregor opponent, Anthony Pettis, is also on the card. No. 3 ranked lightweight Pettis faces no.8 ranked Edson Barboza. The former lightweight champion features in the third last fight of the night in a fantastic card.
The other two main card fights include the middleweight contest between Brazilian Rafael Natal and Robert Whittaker; as well as a featherweight clash between Andre Fili and Yair Rodriguez.
There are more fights expected to be announced.
The current UFC 197 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
Champ Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones – for light heavyweight title
Champ Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo – for flyweight title
Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Pettis
Rafael Natal vs. Robert Whittaker
Andre Fili vs. Yair Rodriguez
PRELIMINARY CARD
Danny Roberts vs. Dominique Steele
Jessica Aguilar vs. Juliana Lima
Glaico Franca vs. James Vick
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass)
Chris Kelades vs. Sergio Pettis
Clint Hester vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Efrain Escudero vs. Kevin Lee
