Gilbert Burns | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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.

TOP STORIES

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He’s back. Robelis Despaigne scored a four-second knockout in his first Karate Combat fight after recently being released by the UFC.

Gamesmanship? Bryan Battle denies he would ever miss weight on purpose after coming in four pounds over the limit for his UFC 310 fight with Randy Brown.

VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with the legendary Cub Swanson.

Don’t miss MMA Fighting’s Usyk vs. Fury 2 live stream Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT.

Mighty Mouse breaks down the rematch of the year.

Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo dish out some hardware.

The true heavyweight king looks back on 2024.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Submission of the Year and Dance of the Year?

A decade of Money Moicano.

Someone fight Marvin Vettori, please, he’s right there!

Happy Birthday, The Reaper!

Truly, why not?

You’ve been warned.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ion Cutelaba (18-10, 1 NC) vs. Ibo Aslan (14-1); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22

Adam Fugitt (10-4) vs. Islam Dulatov (11-1); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22

Modestas Bukauskas (16-6) vs. Rafael Cerqueira (11-1); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22

FINAL THOUGHTS

You guys all saw that Usyk-Fury faceoff, right? How awkward was that? When is the last time you stared directly at another person’s eyes for 10 minutes straight? Go find someone and try it, then come back. I’ll wait.

…

How weird was that???

EXIT POLL

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