The promotion revealed four bouts for the Feb. 6 event, including a heavyweight encounter between Roy Nelson and Jared Rosholt. Additionally, Josh Burkman will face K.J. Noons in a lightweight clash, and Mike Pyle will meet Sean Spencer at 170 pounds.
UFC 196 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Feb. 6 and is headlined by a heavyweight championship rematch between Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez. The main card airs on pay-per-view.
Hendricks, the former 170-pound champ, was forced to withdraw from a proposed matchup with Tyron Woodley at UFC 192 as a result of a bad weight cut. “Bigg Rigg” last competed at UFC 185, where he took a unanimous decision over Matt Brown in March.
Thompson, meanwhile, will take a five-fight winning streak into the bout. Most recently, “Wonderboy” scored a highlight-reel knockout of Jake Ellenberger at “The Ultimate Fighter 21” finale in July.
Nelson has lost his last three fights, including a five-round verdict against Josh Barnett at UFC Fight Night in Japan this past September. Rosholt has won three straight fights and six of his seven Octagon appearances overall.