UFC welterweight Randy Brown wants a fight against a ranked opponent, but so far, a direct call out to Michael Chiesa has fallen on deaf ears.

Brown (17-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was set to compete on the prelims of UFC 287, but had to withdraw due to illness just a couple of days before the final pay-per-view of the year. “Rudeboy” was aiming to make it two in a row after a unanimous decision win over Wellington Turman in June, but his next appearance will have to come in the new year against a new opponent.

According to Brown, he and Chiesa (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) have discussed meeting in the past, and he thinks the timing of the matchup makes sense.

In a video posted on social media, Brown revealed a recent direct message he sent to Chiesa, respectfully calling out the UFC-ranked No. 14 welterweight.

“What’s up Mike. I hope all is well,” Brown started. “My fight fell through last weekend as I got sick. I know we spoke about fighting a few times briefly, but it didn’t make sense for you at those times. I got a ton of respect for you and I’d still love an opportunity to scrap with you. I think it makes a lot more sense now. What do you say?”

Chiesa did not respond to Brown’s message, but instead called out former title challenger Colby Covington.

Chiesa why does it have to come to this? When i seen You in person you told me let’s make it happen. Now the UFC says ur not interested. Colby ain’t fighting you. pic.twitter.com/C6XspYXSaB

— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) December 26, 2023

“Everybody wants to fight up, and I understand it, but everybody wants to fight up,” Brown said. “I completely get that, but bro, you’re on a three-fight skid. That’s the only reason I want to fight you is because you’re in the rankings.”

Chiesa has dropped his last three outings, two of which were by stoppage. After building a four-fight winning streak, he was submitted by Vicente Luque and dropped a unanimous decision to Sean Brady in back-to-back 2021 bouts, and then was tapped by Kevin Holland in his only appearance of 2023.

Brown went on to say he would fight any ranked fighter out there, but he believes Chiesa makes the most sense right now given their most recent results.