NSAC announces improved drug testing policy, severe punishments to defaulters

UFC President Dana White promises to revamp its own drug testing policies

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) revised their drug testing policy yesterday. The new-and-improved testing policy is designed to deter and severely punish those combat sports fighters who test positive for performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and has received a lot of appreciation from the fans and the officials. The new guidelines will come into existence on September 1st.

MMAJunkie released a memo of the new guidelines:

Steroids:

Three years and 50-70 percent of purse for first offenseFour years and 75-100 percent of purse for second offenseLifetime ban and 100 percent of purse for third offense

Stimulants:

Two years and 35-45 percent of purse for first offenseThree years and 50-60 percent of purse for second offenseLifetime ban and 100 percent of purse for third offense

Diuretics:

One year and 30-40 percent of purse for first offenseTwo years and 40-50 percent of purse for second offenseLifetime ban and 100 percent of purse for third offense

Sedatives, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, anxiolytics, opiates and cannabis/marijuana:

18 months and 30-40 percent of purse for first offenseTwo years and 40-50 percent of purse for second offenseThree years and 60-75 percent of purse for third offenseLifetime ban and 100 percent of purse for four offense

UFC has also promised to improve their drug testing policies after few of their fighter were tested positive for some banned substances. Anderson Silva and Hector Lombard were popped for steroids, whereas Nick Diaz was caught for smoking pot.

Even though the guidelines have been framed, each case will be decided on its own merits. So the above mentioned punishments cant be considered mandatory. We just hope that the new revision brings down the instances of substance abuse.