Brazilian media outlet Globo are reporting that the reason the UFC haven’t officially announced the Dos Anjos vs McGregor match up at UFC 197 is that McGregor has not signed the fight contract as of yet.
Globo are reporting that although the bout has been verbally agreed to by both parties, the sticking point is that featherweight champion McGregor is demanding more money before signing on the dotted line.
Update #1: BleacherReport’s Jeremy Botter, the man who originally reported that the fight was in the works, has said on his twitter that he is hearing the “complete opposite” of the claims made in this Globo report.
https://twitter.com/jeremybotter/status/686617654409363456
Reports had indicated that the UFC were planning on announcing the UFC 197 fight between the two champions on the FOX broadcast of the NFL playoff game between Green Bay and Washington last night, but the game came and went without any announcement about the fight.
The bout is still expected to happen but if this report is correct then they will have to iron out this issue before announcing the bout officially.
Update #2: Following Owen Roddy’s appearance on The MMA Hour today, McGregor’s head coach John Kavanagh tweeted that himself and McGregor will “be there on March 5th”.
well @rowdyowenroddy just put it perfectly. "we'll be there march 5th, doesnt matter who is opponent." that's all we can say #UFC197
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) January 11, 2016
Update #3: McGregor’s manager Audie Attar has denied the report from Globo that his client is holding up the completion of the deal, as this tweet from MMAJunkie’s Steven Marrocco states.
McGregor's manager, @AudieAttar, denies report McGregor is holding up 197 announcement.
— Steven Marrocco (@Steven_Marrocco) January 11, 2016
Correct. I'm told it's not. I was assured by multiple people too. All parties involved on board. https://t.co/BwghuXFzbn
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 11, 2016