Gilbert Burns and Colby Covington have been at the top of the welterweight ladder for a while, but have yet to cross paths inside the octagon.

That could change soon.

The veterans engaged in some public back-and-forth this week, with their beef actually spawning from a prank Burns pulled on Covington’s UFC Tampa cornerman Chael Sonnen. Burns tweeted out Sonnen’s phone number in retaliation to Sonnen spreading a rumor that Burns was retired, and while those two appear to have settled their differences, the move didn’t sit well with Covington.

“Chaos” challenged Burns to a fight in Sonnen’s honor while streaming on Twitch and now Burns has replied via Twitter, telling Covington to meet him in Miami in April.

“Just [sign] the contract,” Burns wrote. “I know you not showing up.”

He also included a couple of unflattering photos of Covington to build up the rivalry.

Burns and Covington long have been mainstays at 170 pounds, with the fighters consistently being ranked in the top 15, and both having challenged for the undisputed UFC welterweight title (Covington on three occasions). They’re also both in need of a win, with Burns having lost three straight and Covington on a two-fight skid with his most recent victory coming in March 2022 when he defeated Jorge Masvidal.

Coincidentally, Burns’ most recent win was also against Masvidal, and it took place in April 2023.

The matchup seems to make a lot of sense on paper, so it’s on the fighters’ management and the UFC to make it happen now.