You wouldn’t think someone who carries with him a nickname of “Soldier of God” is a bad person. But if you ask Paulo Costa, that’s exactly what Yoel Romero is.
That’s because the hulking Middleweight took to the media to claim Costa was forced out of their scheduled fight — which was set to go down this Sat. (April 27, 2019) in Ft. Lauderdale — due to issues with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
A sentiment “The Eraser” obviously took offense to.
“It’s not true. Romero is a bad guy. He put this in the air,” Costa said on The Ariel Helwani MMA Show. “It’s not true. I never used steroids in my life. I never used anything to shift the game.”
Last week, Team Costa revealed the reason he was yanked from the event, claiming it was due to a concern from New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) with a medication he took for stomach issues last year.
Paulo doubled down on that claim.
“I feel bad in my stomach, a stomach ache,” Costa said. “My medication was normal. It was not to increase performance. But I cannot speak much about this. I need to wait for the New York commission to close the case.”
According to Costa, he isn’t suspended by any athletic commission or USADA and is eyeing a return to action as soon as possible. And while he will take on any and all comers, he still wants to put paws on “Soldier of God.”
”Yes, of course,” Costa said when asked if the fight is getting more and more personal by the minute. “If I fight against him, I will punch with more power to make him pay.”
Extra powerful punches from the hulking Brazilian isn’t a good time for anyone on the receiving end.
Costa hasn’t competed since dismantling Uriah Hall last July to earn his twelfth straight win (see it), fourth inside the Octagon. As for Romero, he was yanked from his replacement fight against Ronaldo Souza due to illness, which opened up the door for UFC to once again book him in a bout against “The Eraser” for the fourth time.