Paulo Costa was reportedly fighting Yoel Romero in the main event of UFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale, but was pulled from the event for undisclosed reasons, with Romero saying that Costa had a USADA violation.
UFC Vice President Of Athlete Health & Performance Jeff Novitzky says that USADA is still evaluating a case involving Costa stemming from UFC 217.
“I don’t have any comment on that,” Novitzky said on UFC Unfiltered (via Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting). “My understanding is that New York has issued him a fine or a sanction and that USADA is still evaluating this. It’s not until cases are adjudicated and resolved that we comment on them. So I’m not gonna comment on that one right now.”
Costa claimed that stomach medicine was why he withdrew from UFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale and Romero did backtrack on his USADA comments.
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has already fined Costa for an undisclosed violation, no suspension was given to the fighter by the commission at this time. Costa has fought once since UFC 217, which was a second round TKO win over Uriah Hall at UFC 226.
