Dustin Poirier has told Conor McGregor he needs to earn a fourth fight - and a potential title shot - but hasn't ruled out renewing their rivalry next summer.
Poirier has beaten the Irishman twice this year, stopping him in first the second and then the first round.
But McGregor, who suffered a broken leg in their trilogy meeting in July, insists there remains unfinished business between the pair.
He also claims he will accept nothing less than a lightweight title shot when he returns to the cage next summer.
And Poirier admitted he can see a scenario where that happens as he bids to win the 155lb strap from Charles Oliviera tonight.
"I mean, if we're looking at this as a sport, he has to win a couple first," he said. "If we're looking at this as cash grab and entertainment business and not a sport, give him a title shot. Let's go".
McGregor, who beat Poirier in their first fight in 2014, has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks as he eyes a return to full sparring by April.
He then intends to return to competitive action next summer in a bid to rescue his legacy following three defeats in his last four outings.
UFC legend Chael Sonnen, however, believes the Dubliner, who now weighs 190lb, will not fight for a belt again.
“No, I don’t think so, I really don’t,” he said on the MMA Hour. "Look, if you ever have a No. 1 guy, and he slides down to No. 4, he slides down to No. 5, he’s never getting his spot back, and that’s across the board in sport.
"Now Conor has already done - much like Jon Jones, in fairness - he’s already done a lot of things that no other man can do. So I’m very open to the idea.
Should Conor McGregor fight for the title next summer? Let us know in the comments section below
"I just know that Conor lost a level of discipline, it appeared, when he got to a different position in life, to a different status. It looked like he lost some discipline from where I was sitting.
“Now it’s not a choice. It was a choice to go to the gym and train hard back when he was healthy, and he didn’t do enough of it.
"Now, it’s not a choice and I can tell you no human being can get better at something by not doing it. I think that Conor is still wonderful. I think he’s got a very special place. It’s not only within the sport, which is at the very top, but also within the rankings, this a damn good fighter.
"But you’re talking about a ‘55-pounder, which is the hardest and deepest division this sport has ever seen. Not just the organisation, the industry as a whole — 155 is the deepest that it comes."
