Stephen Thompson vs Robert Whittaker Set for UFC 170

Stephen Thompson vs Robert Whittaker Set for UFC 170
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Stephen Thompson will take on TUF Smashes winner Robert Whittaker at UFC 170.

UFC 170 takes place Feb. 22 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and is headlined by Rashad Evans and Daniel Cormier, who will be making his Light-heavyweight debut.

A renowned karate expert and kickboxing champion, Thompson (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) began his UFC career with a knockout of the year candidate victory over Dan Stittgen. Thompson was then beaten by top 10 contender Matt Brown in his second UFC outing to mark the first professional loss of his career. Thompson was able to bounce back well from his loss to Brown however, beating Nah-Shon Burrell by unanimous decision at UFC 160 and most recently Chris Clements by TKO at UFC 165.

Winner of the Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs The UK, Robert Whittaker (11-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) enters the bout with Thompson looking to rebound from his split decision loss to fellow TUF winner Court McGee.

Whittaker, who won The Smashes by defeating Brit Brad Scott in the final, is a natural finisher, taking all but one of his victories by TKO or submission. At just 22, Whittaker is one of the brightest prospects to come out of Australia. A black belt in karate, Whittaker now trains out of the famed Tri Star Gym with fellow welterweight contender Rory MacDonald.

With the addition, the UFC 170 card now includes:
Daniel Cormier vs. Rashad Evans
Rory MacDonald vs. Demian Maia
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rustam Khabilov
Mike Pyle vs. T.J. Waldburger
Raphael Assuncao vs. Francisco Rivera
Stephen Thompson vs. Robert Whittaker