Reports emerged that White was setting up a fight between ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and McGregor upon the Irishman’s UFC return.
However, White has since claimed no move to make a fight between the duo had taken place with former McGregor rival Dustin Poirier the UFC’s preferred opponent for The Notorious’ return.
Cerrone, who returns to lightweight next month when he faces Alexander Hernandez, told ESPN that he believes McGregor will be interested in facing him.
Cerrone said: I think [McGregor's] side is interested in it, I know I'm very interested, and for the UFC, that's a money fight.
"By no means am I overlooking Alex. I'm focused on getting through him, and Conor is potentially what's next.
"I don't see why (McGregor) would turn the fight down. I'm interested to see how it all plays out. I'm pretty sure Conor and I will be meeting in the Octagon soon."
McGregor is currently suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his part in the post-fight brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team after UFC 229 in October.
The hearing is set for January 29 next year, after the initial December 10 date was scrapped.
White has stated opponents for either McGregor or Nurmagomedov can only be discussed after the hearing and suspension are resolved.
UFC chief White, previously told FOX Sports that he would like McGregor to fight Poirier, not Cerrone, while NO 1 ranked lightweight Tony Ferguson fights Nurmagomedov for the title.
White said: “The ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone fight has never ever been discussed. That’s completely not true, I said the fight that makes sense right now is probably Poirier.
“Then Tony gets a shot at the title and the two winners fight each other.
“I’m not sure exactly on a date when Conor’s going to fight yet. We have to get through this Nevada State Athletic Commission stuff first.
“Who knows what these guys are going to get for suspensions? If it was just a fine, that would be one thing.
“They’re definitely getting suspended. I can’t see a scenario where they don’t get suspended, so I can’t do anything."
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