Conor McGregor has been told he will be third in the queue behind other contenders before he is able to challenge for Charles Oliveira's title.
The Irish star is looking to make a successful comeback after suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
He has made demands that he is handed an immediate lightweight title shot on his return against the champion Charles Oliveira.
But former UFC star Paul Felder believes that Justin Gaethje and the winner of Islam Makhachev vs Beneil Dariush will receive title shots first.
"If I'm going by the numbers, it's Gaethje for sure for me," Felder told Helen Yee. "Then the winner of Islam [Makhachev] and Beneil [Dariush].
"That's the next contender. There's no doubt about it in my mind. But Conor's that wrench in everything. Whether we like it or not, the guy draws.
"If Charles tries to do that, I can't technically blame him. You want that money fight. But that's not what it should be. It should be Gaethje and then the winner of Islam vs Beneil.
"But I think he can be champion [Oliveira] for a long time. I really do. The way he's evolving, the way he's getting stronger and more confident, that's the key for him.Years ago, even when I beat him, he seemed a bit broken. He didn't know where he wanted to be, whether it was going to be 155 or 145.
"After I beat him and he went on that absolute tear, he found that confidence, he changed what he needed to. And now I think he's got what it takes to stay on top of that division for a long time."
Oliveira has recently defeated McGregor's recent nemesis Poirier at UFC 269 by choking his opponent out in the third period.
Now it seems Gaethje will be next naturally in-line to receive another title shot after defeating Michael Chandler in a brutal war.
Makhachev would also cement his status as a leading contender if he can beat Dariush on February 26 when the pair are now scheduled to meet.
Should Conor McGregor be next in-line for a title shot against Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments section below
The Brazilian champion has expressed his desire to meet McGregor with the prospect of a bumper payday on the line.
However this is unlikely to happen until the second half of next year with the Irishman not keen to rush any comeback.
He has admitted he has been left confused with Gaethje next in-line and would prefer a bumper tilt with McGregor.
"May would be a wonderful date. Conor challenged me asking a date, and tweeted Ireland vs. Brazil 2," he told Sherdog.
"Not only him, but also myself and all the world wants to see that fight. So let's make it happen. I'm waiting for him in May. Gaethje was knocked out by Poirier, who I just submitted. He was almost knocked out by Chandler, who I beat via TKO.
But I'm a UFC employee. If they choose that I should fight Gaethje next, I’ll be ready too."
