“They Don’t Know About Fighting” – Dana White Blasts USADA After They Tested a Dehydrated Paulo Costa Ahead of UFC 278

The MMA governing bodies and the UFC always have their differences going on. The rules and regulations imposed by these governing bodies never fail to baffle the fans and, most importantly, Dana White. 

At the official weigh-ins of UFC 278, Paulo Costa stepped on the scale and, after having made his weight, started blasting USADA. While everyone present at the time knew what has happened, fans watching were perplexed about what was going on. 

Costa later said that the UFC’s drug testing partner, USADA, arrived early morning at his hotel room while he was cutting weight and was absolutely dehydrated. They not only asked for a sample, but the tests also required a blood draw. 

Dana White shared his comments on The USADA-Costa Situation

The UFC President was clearly not too happy about the whole situation. He sat with the media at the post-fight press conference of UFC 278 and shared his thoughts. Dana said that he had spoken to Costa after the ceremonial weigh-in.

White said, “I apologized to him on stage. That’ll never happen again to any fighter,” 

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The media asked White if they (The UFC) can control what was happening because it was a very dangerous situation for the fighter.

The President responded, “They (USADA) don’t know about fighting the way that people who know about fighting know about fighting. You don’t test a guy at 6 in the morning when he’s cutting weight. The result’s going to be the same a few hours later. You wait. I apologized to him on stage when he came out, and that won’t happen to another fighter again.”

How Does The USADA Testing Work?

USADA has a pre-set rule that they can show up anytime and at any place to test the athletes registered under their testing pool. This is done so as to keep a check on athletes so that they don’t break the rule. Having said that, this wasn’t the first time that a fighter had complained about USADA’s timing for a drug test. 

Paulo Costa, on the other hand, went on to bag a UD victory over former UFC champ, Luke Rockhold. This was the last fight of ‘The Erasers’ contract.

Although the relationship between him and Dana White is quite salty, this victory might tempt the UFC to offer the Brazilian a new contract. 

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What did you think of the USADA’s testing practices? Share your thoughts below.