Paulo Costa has addressed the recent scandal involving Conor McGregor, joking that he fears his own explicit photos could also be leaked online. The remark came after American rapper Azealia Banks publicly exposed nude pictures allegedly sent to her by McGregor, sparking widespread attention.
Banks claimed that McGregor threatened her to keep their communications private, which led her to express anger openly on social media. The MMA community quickly reacted to the incident, with Costa sharing a candid response himself. He wrote,
”I don’t Judge. Maybe someday there will pop up some of my di*k photos somewhere. I hope not”
This incident adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion whose last fight took place at UFC 264 in 2021. During that trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, McGregor suffered a serious leg injury early in the first round. A planned return at UFC 303 was canceled after McGregor injured his toe in training, forcing him to withdraw.
Current Status of Paulo Costa and Upcoming Fight
Meanwhile, Paulo Costa is coming off a two-fight losing streak, most recently losing a split decision to former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 302. Costa aims to bounce back in his upcoming middleweight showdown against Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. Kopylov, who also faces challenges with a similar two-fight skid, will be looking to regain momentum against Costa.
Former UFC Fighter’s Perspective on McGregor’s Photo Leak
The fallout from McGregor’s photo leak drew comments from UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen, who offered his take in a YouTube video. Sonnen expressed skepticism about the authenticity and context of the images, suggesting they did not make sense when fully examined. He also noted unusual aspects of the photos that hinted at possible digital manipulation.
I’m inclined to defend him. First off, I’m inclined to just tell you if you pull back from that photo, there’s nothing in that photo that makes sense. There really isn’t. Now, things happen in the world all the time that don’t make sense. But, I’m just sharing with you [that] there is nothing and there was nobody in that photo that made a lot of sense…Secondly, in the second photo, the second photo is accompanied by a video, and Conor’s eyes are doing some weird stuff, and it just looked like potential AI.
Potential Impact and Future Developments
The McGregor photo scandal continues to ripple through MMA circles, drawing varied reactions from fighters and fans. Paulo Costa’s lighthearted response highlights how these incidents can affect peers as well, possibly raising concerns about privacy and digital security among athletes. As McGregor’s return remains uncertain due to injuries, focus shifts to fighters like Costa and Kopylov preparing for their next bouts. The controversy may also influence public perceptions around McGregor’s image and professional future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Paulo Costa ranked?
A. Paulo Henrique Costa, born on April 21, 1991, is a professional mixed martial artist from Brazil. He fights in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 10, 2025, he holds the #13 spot in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Q. What rank is Paulo Costa?
A. As of June 10, 2025, he holds the 13th spot in the UFC middleweight rankings.