LAS VEGAS (AP) – The Latest on UFC 196 (all times local):
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7:50 p.m.
The big fights at UFC 196 are about to begin in Las Vegas.
Holly Holm is taking on Miesha Tate in Holm’s first defense of her bantamweight title, which she won in November by knocking out Ronda Rousey with a stunning head kick.
After that, Conor McGregor goes for his 16th consecutive victory when he faces Nate Diaz in a 170-pound bout. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is packed with celebrities and singing Irish fans hoping to see another knockout from McGregor. The UFC’s featherweight champion is fighting 25 pounds above his weight in December, when he stopped Jose Aldo in 13 seconds.
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8:55 a.m.
Conor McGregor will be the first UFC fighter to make a disclosed $1 million purse in his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 196 on Saturday night.
The Nevada Athletic Commission revealed the purses for the card late Friday.
McGregor will get a flat $1 million with no win bonus in the biggest disclosed payout in UFC history, according to the commission’s records. Anderson Silva had the previous disclosed high of $800,000 for his comeback fight against Nick Diaz in early 2015.
Top fighters typically make much more on top of their disclosed payout from a percentage of pay-per-view sales and other bonuses.
Nate Diaz gets a flat $500,000 for the late-notice fight, with no win bonus.
Bantamweight champion Holly Holm will make $500,000 against Miesha Tate.