Paulo Costa has received a six month suspension from the UFC’s anti-doping partner USADA for the use of an IV.
According to a press release issued by USADA, Friday, Costa used an IV after his weigh-ins for UFC 212 on June 2017 and again after weighing at UFC 217 in New York on November 3, 2017. The agency notes that both usages of the IV were for a stomach medication, although the fact Costa did not apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) means the athlete was still at fault.
Costa was given six month suspension after working with USADA to prove his use of the IV was for medicine, and not — the reason IV’s are no longer permitted for fighters — to mask the use of performance enhancing drug. Costa’s suspension is retroactive to August 10, 2018, the date he “acknowledged receipt” of the IV. He is now eligible to compete.
“Based on video and other corroborating evidence, USADA determined that on June 2, 2017, Paulo Costa, 27, received an intravenous infusion (IV) of permitted substances, including saline solution and a stomach medication, of more than 100 mL per 12-hour period after weigh-in for UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, without a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE),” the press release stated.
“On November 3, 2017, Paulo Costa again received an IV infusion of permitted substances of more than 100 mL per 12-hour period after weigh-in for UFC 217 in New York City, New York, without a TUE. Both infusions were administered by Carlos Costa.
“Paulo Costa’s and Carlos Costa’s six-month periods of ineligibility began on August 10, 2018, the date Paulo Costa acknowledged receipt of these intravenous infusions. Both sanctions were reduced based on substantial assistance the Costas provided to USADA.”
Recently, Costa was accused of having USADA issues by Yoel Romero, whom he was originally scheduled to fight this weekend. While Romero walked those comments back and denied any real knowledge of the situation, Costa was angered by the remarks and a fight between the pair looks most likely.
🤷🏻♂️ #seeyousoonboi #iluhju https://t.co/mVAYlDG5tj
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) April 26, 2019
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