White: Cyborg's USADA violation could explain fight reluctance

UFC president Dana White believes the news of Cris Cyborg's USADA violation could provide some insight into her matchmaking mindset.

White said recently that Cyborg refused to accept a trio of fights at featherweight, the division she's ruled over for years outside the UFC. The boss is now wondering if there's a connection between her failed test and her reluctance to sign a bout agreement.

"First of all, I was offering these fights at 145 pounds," White told TMZ Sports on Thursday. "First fight, she had eight weeks to get ready; second fight, she had 11 weeks to get ready. And then the third fight she just turned down.

"I thought it was strange that she was turning down all of these fights, not so strange now."

Cyborg cited the need for time to recover from a pair of tough weight cuts she endured earlier this year to compete at 140 pounds in the UFC as the reason for her not taking the fights. That catchweight limit is five pounds lighter than her usual competition weight, which may give her excuse legitimacy.

It's not known what Cyborg tested positive for, though she and her team are claiming it's likely due to their use of a diuretic to assist her weight cuts. White is waiting for the results of a USADA investigation to determine if Cyborg will be suspended and for how long.

"USADA will decide that so we'll see how this thing plays out," said White.