Conor McGregor 's targeted octagon return this summer could be delayed according to UFC boss Dana White.
Former two-weight champion McGregor has been sidelined since breaking his tibia against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight at UFC 264 last July.
The lightweight division has continued to move on without him, as McGregor now finds himself ranked No.9 at the weight class having not won a 155lb fight in five years.
Despite losing his last two fights to Poirier, the UFC star's pulling power means he could receive a title shot upon his return.
White said that largely depends on who the champion is when McGregor returns to the UFC, which will likely be in autumn.
"When Conor is able to come back we'll see... Conor's probably not going to be back until the early fall. So we'll see who's where and what's what, how it lays out," he told Aaron Bronsteter.
"I have no idea. We'll see what happens when he comes back. Who has the title has a lot of say in who he fights too."
Current lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will likely defend his belt against former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 on May 7.
'Do Bronx' admitted he would rather face McGregor instead of Gaethje, even if his lightweight belt wasn't on the line.
"Not only him, but also myself and all the world wants to see that fight. So let's make it happen," he told Sherdog.
"It may be in welterweight, lightweight or middleweight, with my title on the line or not. Just choose and I'll be ready.”
McGregor requested a title shot against Oliveira upon his return, but that will likely depend on the result of the Brazilian's planned fight with Gaethje.
Gaethje, who has previously been linked to a fight with McGregor, threatened to "burn it all down" if the Irishman jumped the line to fight for the title.
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McGregor has been mostly limited to weight training as his broken tibia continues to heal, claiming he bulked up to 190lbs last December.
'Notorious' is open to fighting at welterweight or lightweight upon his return, two weight classes he has switched between since moving up from 145lb.
"April I should be back sparring. I'll gauge it all then - I'd like a title, a title, I'd feel a belt," he said.
"We'll see what happens with the weight, I'm feeling nice and strong, I'm getting there day-by-day. I'm only 33 years of age, I'm unscathed, never been bust up in the face, never scratched in the face so I'll be back.
"I'm advised to take it easy, but I'm shadow boxing a lot and I'm figuring out what way I'm developing a style."
