Alex Pereira isn’t known for vague noise. When he posts something online, it usually means something is moving behind the scenes. Four months after stopping Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch at UFC 320 to reclaim the light heavyweight title, ‘Poatan’ has been quiet about his next step. That silence is new for a champion who usually stays in the conversation.

But all that changed when he recently dropped a simple caption on Instagram, under a photo of himself in the Octagon with gold around his waist: “1-2-3 and go!” So what’s he counting down to?

Right after winning his belt back in Las Vegas, Pereira pushed for a superfight with Jon Jones and even floated the idea of headlining the UFC’s historic White House card. However, that energy cooled by December, when Pereira suggested Washington was off the table. Since then, the division has been waiting on him. Carlos Ulberg sits near the front of the line at 205 with a nine-fight win streak, and a trilogy with Jiri Prochazka still sells itself. On paper, the path at light heavyweight is clear.

But the Brazilian hasn’t hidden his curiosity about heavyweight. The 38-year-old has talked about chasing history by becoming a three-division UFC champion. The timing, oddly enough, now works in his favor. Heavyweight is in flux as Tom Aspinall remains sidelined with eye surgery, and the title picture feels paused. The UFC has shown it’s willing to bend divisional logic for star power, and Pereira is one of the promotion’s biggest draws.

If Pereira stays at 205, he likely defends against Ulberg, who’s riding momentum but doesn’t bring the same mainstream pull. If he moves up, the stakes jump instantly. With Aspinall out, rumors of an interim heavyweight title won’t go away. A matchup with Ciryl Gane, possibly for interim gold, suddenly feels realistic.

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The caption itself doesn’t answer anything. “1-2-3 and go!” could be nothing more than a hype note before camp starts. It could also be Pereira nudging fans to think bigger. There’s also the Jon Jones angle, even if it’s fading.

Jon Jones casts doubts on his superfight with Alex Pereira

Fans have pushed hard for a Jones vs. Alex Pereira superfight at the UFC’s White House card, but the reality behind the scenes looks shaky. Matchmakers are already sketching out that historic event, yet there’s no clarity on whether Jones will be part of it at all.

That uncertainty came through when Jones spoke to The Schmo while promoting Dirty Boxing Championship 5. Asked directly about Pereira, he didn’t offer any forward momentum. “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Jones said. “I’m working out. I’m eating healthy. I’m living the lifestyle… I take it one day at a time, some things are just out of my control.” Then came the line that cooled expectations: “I feel blessed whether I fight again or not.”

With Tom Aspinall sidelined and Jon Jones sounding noncommittal, the usual road signs are missing. That creates space for a champion who thrives on momentum to redraw the map. Adding another layer to the ‘Bones’ side of the equation is the former champion’s recent admission about the wear and tear he has suffered in his fighting career. 

So what’s the smart play? If Pereira stays at 205, he can bank legacy with defenses against Ulberg or a Prochazka trilogy. If he jumps to heavyweight, he’s betting that timing beats tradition, and that the UFC’s appetite for spectacle opens a door to interim gold. What do you think his next move will be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!