UFC president Dana White has confirmed it will be down to the UFC lightweight champion at the time whether Conor McGregor receives a title shot.
The Irishman is looking to make his return from a broken leg this summer and has previously demanded that he is handed a comeback title tilt.
Charles Oliveira currently holds the lightweight crown but will defend his belt against Justin Gaethje on May 7.
White has admitted that if Oliveira continues to hold the belt, it could be the choice of the Brazilian providing McGregor's health is adequate for return.
"We will see what's what with the lightweight division," White told The Underground. "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 recently holidayed in the Bahamas and impressed fans with his physique as he looks to stay in shape for a potential comeback.
His weight has been a key talking point with potential options open up at 155lbs in addition to fights at 170lbs which would be closer to his natural current weight.
The 33-year-old has previously claimed he currently weighs around 190lbs but is expected to return to the lightweight division nonetheless.
An immediate title shot could be likely for McGregor if Oliveira remains champion after previously admitting he is "waiting" for a challenge from the UFC superstar.
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McGregor is currently ranked ninth in the division and could find himself skipping beyond Islam Makhachev in the pecking order if he is to receive an attempt.
However he is currently focused on making a return to sparring but believes he could realistically return in the summer.
"April I should be back sparring," he continued. "I'll gauge it all then - I'd like a title, a title, I'd feel a belt," McGregor 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."
McGregor has been called out by a number of opponents including Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson.
A trilogy with Nate Diaz at welterweight has also been talked up but his famous foe has ruled out sharing the octagon again.
