Dana White has given Conor McGregor hope that he could fight for the lightweight belt on his UFC return later this year.
The Notorious is expected to return to the octagon in the summer and has previously demanded a shot at the title in his first fight back.
Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is set to defend his belt against Justin Gaethje on May 7.
And White admits the Brazilian could give McGregor a title shot if he still holds the belt when the Dubliner makes his return.
The UFC President told The Underground: "We will see what's what with the lightweight division. It's going to depend on who the champion is when Conor McGregor comes back, they have a say in it. What do they want to do?
"If it's Oliveira who is still champion when Conor comes back, maybe Oliveira wants Conor we will see then. There are many variables for his return, number one his health and how his leg is.
"Once that is 100 per cent, we will start to figure out where he goes because we have fights up to June 18 already."
McGregor attended Bellator 275 in Dublin last Friday and admitted at the event that he would like a title shot on his return.
On the broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, the former two-weight champion said: "It's getting there, we'll see how it happens and how it shakes out.
"April I should be back sparring, I'll gauge it all then - I'd like a title, a title, I'd feel a belt.
"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."
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