Alex Pereira has fueled growing speculation about his long-anticipated move to heavyweight with a cryptic post on Instagram. The UFC light heavyweight champion captioned a post "1-2-3 and go" on Thursday, with many fans interpreting the numbers as a nod to his pursuit of a third UFC title in a third weight class.
The post arrives just two days after UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall shared a gruesome photo following double eye surgery, leaving the 265-pound division without an active champion for the foreseeable future. Aspinall was diagnosed with significant traumatic bilateral Brown's syndrome after Ciryl Gane's eye poke at UFC 321 in October.
Interim Title Fight With Gane Gaining Steam
With Aspinall sidelined indefinitely, rumors of an interim heavyweight title fight between Pereira and Ciryl Gane have gained serious traction. UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed in December that he had heard significant chatter about the matchup, and even Aspinall has endorsed the idea, telling Paddy Pimblett, "It would be a good fight. I think it's a good stylistic matchup."
A report from MMA journalist Rueben Carter on January 14 claimed Pereira had informed the UFC that he intends to vacate his light heavyweight title to move up in weight. No formal announcement has materialized yet, but today's post suggests momentum is building again.
A Historic Move In The Making
Pereira originally targeted a superfight against Jon Jones at the UFC White House card on June 14, but that path stalled after Jones' retirement and Dana White's reluctance to book the fight. In December, Pereira posted on Instagram, "Looks like the White House is a no go!!!"
The only fresh matchup remaining at light heavyweight is Carlos Ulberg, who is on a nine-fight win streak and has publicly called for the Pereira fight. But with the 38-year-old walking around at 235 to 243 pounds and the heavyweight division in limbo, a historic third title run appears to be the more likely path forward.