Conor McGregor has been backed to fight for the UFC lightweight title upon his return after Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier played down fights with him.
McGregor, who is still recovering from a broken tibia, is expected to make his return to the cage in the summer.
The Irishman had called to fight current 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira in his comeback fight, but Oliveira will now defend his belt against Justin Gaethje in May.
Diaz and Poirier both recently stated they weren't keen on fighting McGregor again and instead want to fight each other.
It leaves an opponent for McGregor's return in question, but MMA analyst Chael Sonnen thinks he could fight the winner of Oliveira vs Gaethje.
"They are talking about giving Conor a world title fight right when he comes back, that conversation did not go away," he said on his YouTube channel.
"That got called to Dana White one time and Dana did not dismiss it, he did not commit to it but he didn't dismiss it.
"Daniel Cormier was conducting an interview with Dana and Dana said 'I'll tell you one thing about Conor, that guy has fought anybody anytime, that guy can go anywhere and do anything."
"That seemed like the door was open, we've already heard Charles Oliveira wants the fight. Justin Gaethje wants the fight with McGregor, it seems everybody is wide open to the idea.
Oliveira admitted he would rather face McGregor instead of top contender Gaethje, even if his lightweight title was not on the line.
Other potential opponents for McGregor upon his return include Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, who have also been linked to fight each other later this year.
Who should Conor McGregor fight in his UFC return? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Poirier has fought McGregor three times in the UFC, stopping him twice last year, whilst Diaz and the Irishman have fought twice.
And Sonnen was surprised that two of McGregor's rivals in Poirier and Diaz "teamed up" to turn down fights with him.
"Poirier and Diaz have both dismissed Conor. That is nothing more than negotiating. I understand it, I don't think you have to correct me, but it's the first time ever anybody has dismissed Conor," he added.
"In this case, it's Conor's greatest rivals and they both teamed up and they both said no. No to him and yes to each other.
"If you take Dustin and you take Nate and you move them aside as it pertains to Conor, you're left going, 'What do we do?'
"Now I think I would like to see Conor fight for the belt the most. Now I think that that does make the most sense."
