Paulo Costa finished favorably on a list of the top twenty most handsome UFC fighters and Mike Perry also got in on the discourse.
At the UFC 302 pre-fight media day, Costa was told about an artificially generated list out there of who the best-looking UFC fighters are as determined by their algorithmic considerations.
The former UFC middleweight title challenger was told he ranked second only behind Conor McGregor. It was mentioned to Costa thought that he placed higher on this list than his looming opponent at the pay-per-view this Saturday night, Sean Strickland.
To this AI handsome hierarchy among octagon combatants, Costa said:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"I'm happy because I beat [Sean] Strickland but I'm BLF: The Best Looking Fighter ever. What's going on? I think this AI is not so good. You pay this properly?... [On McGregor ranking], Ok, ah no, definitely not [laughs]. Not against me but no. I am like tan and beautiful [laughs]."
In an Instagram post from MMA Fighting, Costa was also seen within the footage laughing at Khamzat Chimaev being ranked 13th on the AI attractiveness list by stating:
"[laughs] He's out of the list, come on. He's the last."
On the Instagram post of Costa commenting on these rankings, Perry commented:
"BLFE right here"
Check Costa commenting on the UFC handsome rankings courtesy of AI below:
Paulo Costa's looks and Sean Strickland sounding off on the ranking
Paulo Costa has made it a part of his persona that he is regarded as one of the more handsome mixed martial artists. However, the man that Paulo Costa is throwing down with this weekend did not take kindly to it.
An on-site reporter also made Sean Strickland privy to this list and the former UFC middleweight champion seemed none too pleased by his placement. The controversial 185-pounder took issue with Conor McGregor topping the list and did not seem to regard 'The Notorious' as a particularly attractive person.
Being slotted into the number four spot, Strickland playfully joked that there must be a lot of ugly fighters being considered for him to even be that high.
The 33-year-old may be vying for a higher sport on this handsome list with Strickland but the two are also vying for a higher spot in the UFC middleweight rankings. Costa is currently the number seven ranked contender in the weight category while the former 185-pound champion Strickland is situated as the number one contender in the division heading into this UFC 302 contest.