Conor McGregor has been told a fight with Islam Makhachev would not be sanctioned for his return to the cage because he has a 'chicken heart'.
The Irish UFC star is stepping up his training as he recovers from a broken leg ahead of his comeback fight next year, with plenty of potential match-ups in the works.
McGregor insists he will accept nothing less than a lightweight title shot on his return - but the UFC is unlikely to grant him the ambitious wish, Mirror UK reports.
And manager Ali Abdelaziz, who represented McGregor's bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, has predicted the Dubliner will avoid a showdown with Makhachev and will lose to his other clients Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush.
He posted on Twitter : " Conor McGregor vs Islam Makhachev. This fight won’t get approved by Athletic Commission because his heart is small now, as a chicken heart.
"Conor McGregor vs Beneil Dariush - first round submission. Conor McGregor vs Justin Gaethje - second round TKO by leg kicks."
Makhachev has naturally been pushed into a rivalry with McGregor after the Irishman's bitter feud with his friend Nurmagomedov.
And the rising star has made quite the impression during his time in the lightweight division climbing to fourth in the rankings.
McGregor will look to return to the UFC next year and is currently seeking an opponent for his comeback clash.
But Abdelaziz has claimed that McGregor would rather enter a prison cell than face Makhachev when he makes his return.
"At the end of the day, all these guys are going to fight each other," he told MMA Junkie. "If Justin Gaethje wins, he's gonna fight for the title, if Conor McGregor wants to get one more a**-whooping from the Dagestani mafia, we can give it to him, you know.
"Listen, at the the end of the day he's still talking, he still insulted people, assaulted people. Still going to jail but listen, being locked in jail or being locked with Islam Makhachev? I think he would choose jail."
The 33-year-old has been called out by former rival Max Holloway, Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson upon his return but it currently remains unclear who his preferred option is.
With two fights remaining on his current deal, McGregor will know that his search for redemption at 155lbs could be short-lived if he is unable to make an immediate winning return.
His actions outside of the cage have threatened to draw focus away from his comeback including his deleted tweet crusades aimed at various stars of the sport.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
