UFC president Dana White has revealed that Donald Cerrone could be Conor McGregor's first opponent in his sensational return to MMA.
The 31-year-old UFC superstar last fought against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018 for the Lightweight Championship at UFC 229.
But McGregor announced at a press conference in Moscow last month that he would make his return to UFC in 2020.
When TMZ asked White about the UFC comeback trail for the 'Notorious,' the UFC chief responded: "We have nothing done.
"Nothing is even close to being done, so I hate to even talk about this stuff and say it because it might not happen, [or] it might happen.
"But we're looking at Cowboy. No 3 versus No 5. January 18 at the T-Mobile in Las Vegas."
McGregor, who took a shot at fierce rival Khabib at his Moscow press conference, has revealed plans to treat 2020 as a "season" and target three fights.
The Irish MMA superstar said that he wants to face the winner of Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz (which would be Masvidal in this case) before eying up a rematch with Khabib, who is set to defend his championship against Ferguson.
'Cowboy' Cerrone, 36, has previously dropped a hint that he wants to be McGregor's first opponent in January.
And the UFC veteran remains optimistic about setting up the clash with former two-division champ McGregor.
"I think it's gonna happen this time," he said.
"I really do. Conor is really serious about making a comeback.
"He's doing whatever he wants to do."
Cerrone has put his foot down in recent days and demanded that McGregor sign the "damn deal."
McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh, believes that the Irishman should have targeted Frankie Edgar in a return bout before the end of 2019.
"I think it was in the works when Conor was kind of going on that featherweight tear," he said in September.
"He's an ex-champion, great fighter.
"Yeah, if it was me, I would love to see the Frankie Edgar fight this year if possible.
"And then go on another run in 2020."
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