UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason – he has been revealed as the most-tested UFC fighter in 2023, courtesy of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). A list circulated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) unveiled that Costa underwent a staggering 33 drug tests over the past year, surpassing the next most-tested athlete, UFC flyweight Charles Johnson, by seven tests.
In a characteristically humorous yet cheeky response to the revelation, Paulo Costa quoted the post. He declared, “When they bring that ugly jacket for me, I’m gonna pee in that [raised hand emoji].” The jacket in question is the USADA Clean Testing Letter Jacket, awarded to UFC fighters who accumulate a remarkable 50 clean drug tests – a symbol of their commitment to a drug-free sport. Notable recipients of this prestigious jacket include former champions like Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou and veterans such as Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Daniel Cormier, among others.
Paulo Costa is set to face off against UFC sensation Khamzat Chimaev in a highly anticipated middleweight bout at UFC 294. While the event’s headliner features Islam Makhachev’s second title defense in a rematch against Charles Oliveira, former UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen believes that the Costa vs. Chimaev showdown is the real star attraction of the night. Sonnen even suggested that a middleweight title shot might be on the line for the victor.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen stated, “I believe that main event…main attraction, Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev…Here in North America, that’s the fight. And we generally won’t buy a pay-per-view, particularly with this level of excitement and anticipation for a co-main event, and generally, Dana would not make it a co-main event that was so awesome, that it overshines his main event… Whoever wins this fight, I believe will be announced quickly as the next in line for Strickland. This is what we like as fans, right, we like these high-stakes matches.”
Both Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev are set to return to the octagon for the first time since 2022, aiming to leave a lasting impression on fans and matchmakers alike.
Paulo Costa’s tongue-in-cheek response to topping the drug testing list showcases his unique personality within the MMA world. It’s not every day you see a fighter make light of such a serious matter.
The Costa vs. Chimaev bout at UFC 294 is undoubtedly generating immense excitement and intrigue. Chael Sonnen’s perspective on it potentially overshadowing the main event highlights the anticipation surrounding this clash of titans. Fans can expect fireworks when these two fighters finally step into the octagon after a hiatus, and the stakes are undeniably high.
