Paulo Costa Suspended For Six Months

Paulo Costa has received a six month suspension from the United State Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), for the prohibited usage of an intravenous infusion (IV) twice in 2017.

Costa’s suspension is retroactive to August 10th of last year, which is when he acknowledged receiving the IVs. This means Costa is already eligible to fight again.

Paulo’s brother Carlos, also received a six month suspension, for administering the IV to his brother.

The brothers were facing a two year suspension but were instead given just six months for the “substantial assistance” that they provided USADA during the investigation. This usually means that information was provided regarding another case or potential case.

USADA reported that Costa used an IV after his weigh-ins at UFC 212 on June 3rd 2017 and then again after weighing in at UFC 217, in New York on November 4th, 2017.

USADA noted that the IV were for a stomach medication on both occasions but because Costa did not apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), he is still at fault.

According to USADA, IV infusions or injections are on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list because they “can be used to enhance performance by increasing plasma volume levels; to mask the use of a prohibited substance; and to distort the values of an Athlete Biological Passport.”

Paulo Costa denied using the IV to mask the use of a prohibited substance, insisting it was to recover from his weight cut.

You can read USADA’s full statement on Costa’s suspension, here.

The reduced suspension of six months, hopefully opens the door to finally booking Costa vs Yoel Romero. The two were expected to fight this weekend at UFC Fort Lauderdale but Costa was unable to compete, due to USADA’s investigation.

Last month Romero told Ariel Helwani that Costa had been pulled from the fight because of issues with USADA. Although Costa and his team were quick to respond that they hadn’t failed any drug tests.

Just this week, Costa told Ariel Helwani that he had never used steroids in his life.

After news came out of Costa’s suspension, Romero took to Twitter to tell the Brazilian that he will see him soon.

Are you hoping that we finally get to see Costa vs Romero now?


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