Georges St-Pierre is already a two-weight UFC champion and has spoken of his desires to add a third title, one from the lightweight division, to his already significant haul.
However, UFC President Dana White says GSP will have to face a lightweight contender before getting to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
St-Pierre last featured in the Octagon around this time last year, defeating Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight belt, adding to the welterweight title he previously held, before vacating due to illness.
The Montreal native is the longest-reigning welterweight champion in UFC history and vacated that title to take a four-year hiatus away from the sport.
Now seeking fights to only enhance his legacy as he nears retirement, St-Pierre is eyeing UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov as a potential opponent to become the first UFC fighter to win three belts in different weight classes.
But White has other ideas. “How does Georges St-Pierre jump over all the guys fighting in that division to face Khabib?” White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “Just because all of a sudden he wants to come out and fight this guy.
“He doesn’t get to do that. If Georges St-Pierre is serious, listen, I’ll give you a fight with one of these guys in the top five. If you win, you’ll be in position for a title shot.
“We don’t even know if Georges St-Pierre can make 155 pounds.”
St-Pierre has yet to fight at the lightweight limit of 155 pounds. However, GSP has previously expressed confidence that he could make that weight.
Nurmagomedov made the first defence of his UFC lightweight belt against Conor McGregor at UFC 229, earlier in October.
