Stephen Thompson vs Robert Whittaker set for UFC 170 in February

Karate black belts Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Robert Whittaker will meet in a welterweight fight at UFC 170 on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas, sources with knowledge told Fox Sports.

The stylistic matchup should be an intriguing one. Thompson, a kempo karate black belt, is one of the most creative strikers in the UFC. Whittaker, who has one-punch knockout power, has black belts in both karate and hapkido.

Both men are trying to carve out a path in the talented 170-pound division. Thompson (8-1) has won two in a row against Nah-Shon Burrell and Chris Clements, the latter coming via second-round KO at UFC 165 in September. Before that, he fell by decision to Matt Brown, one of the top guys in the weight class right now.

Whittaker (11-3) has not fought since a decision loss to Court McGee at UFC Fight Night in August. The New Zealand native was the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes” last December and also has a UFC victory over fellow “TUF” alum Colton Smith.

UFC 170 is headlined by a light heavyweight top contender bout between Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans.