On Friday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission passed new drug testing measures which include enhanced punishments for test violations. The NSAC hopes that other state regulators follow suit.
UPDATED: 4:07pm ET – MMA Junkie has a write-up on today’s hearing. One note is that the commission rulings are not mandatory and punishments will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the increased penalties, it is now changing its rule that fighters that fail a post-fight drug test will now be credited with a loss instead of a no contest.
Per ESPN’s Brett Okammoto, a first offense would command more of a penalty regarding suspension and percentage of purse.
I believe I noted every amendment, but will confirm after meeting. This is the updated list of fines/suspensions. pic.twitter.com/4M3psalaH5
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 15, 2015
Notably, the first offense suspension for marijuana usage is more than the use of diuretics. Also, steroid use would command a 3 year ban and a fine of 50-70% of the purse.
The new penalties will go into effect on September 1st in the state. MMA Fighting’s Shaheen Al-Shatti indicated that the commission voted to shift diuretics and stimulants from the ‘in competition’ prohibited list to the ‘always prohibited’ list. Brett Okamoto also indicated that the commission will discuss whether the NSAC should continue to follow WADA’s testing and tolerance levels of cannabis
Payout Perspective:
The NSAC’s moves on Friday is a step in the right direction with respect to addressing illegal drug use. It should help clean up the sport of MMA, at least in the state of Nevada. Certainly, the harsher penalties for marijuana use will be criticized as the perspective of the drug has changed over the years. We shall see how these new policy changes will influence other commissions to adopt the penalties issued by the NSAC.
Oof.
That’s super harsh. Might be a boon for the combat sports industries in other states.
Dont worry D knows how to beat all the tests, he is an expert, he read an article on google, Its simple you just cycle off in time bahahahahah
The only problem I have with this is with the ‘case-by-case basis’. Popular fighter = leniency, unknown nameless fighter = throw the book at him.
Even though these new penalties seem a little draconian, maybe that’s what MMA needs to have a cleaner sport or at least put some fear on people (3-4 year ban might as well be retirement for a fighter in his early thirties), it’s also important to establish WADA standards, you know fighters with money will still look for designer steroids or expensive HGH that is easy to cycle off.
This is really good to see. Seems like MMA is leading the way in drug testing and punishment. This is much more comprehensive than all the 4 major league sports, tennis, and boxing.
Sal, you are retarded and contradict yourself every time you comment.
Logical, how can you cycle off when you don’t know when the tests are coming? These are out of competition tests.
speaking of contradiction, D said before that its easy to beat the tests OK D
what a tool!
And for your information retard, its not mma leading the way its the NSAC reason being sooo many fighters were failing tests . Was that a UFC talking point? if it was, shows how the ufc is trying to take credit for something were they only contributed to the underlying problem, more lies nice try D.
I never once said that it was easy to beat out of competition blood tests. I said it was easy to beat in competition testing because fighters cycle off ahead of time. You are a total retard and just made something up again for like the millionth time.
Saldaqueer………MMAPAYOUT’s crazy, drunken uncle.
Also, the UFC urged the NSAC to address the issue- the UFC was the one recommending stricter punishments and more aggressive testing.
http://www.mmamania.com/2015/2/18/8064159/ufc-pushing-for-harsher-punishments-multi-year-suspensions-following-new-drug-testing-policy
Here you go idiot. This was prior to the NSAC mentioning anything about stricter penalties or expansion of their testing policies at that time. This was from back in February.
-Both Fertitta and White said they are pushing for harsher penalties for those using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in line with those issued by organizations like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
That could lead to fighters being suspended for up to four years in certain cases, though White and Fertitta were suggesting two years be the minimum suspension for PED users.
White said that it is a “risk vs. reward” situation in the current state of PED users, because of the money they can make and the suspension they face if they get caught. With stricter and harsher punishments, perhaps athletes won’t be as quick to break the rules.
“Two or four years (suspension time) could be career threatening. Now you look at the risk vs. reward, and it’s a lot more dangerous,” White said.
Cannabis needs to be removed from the list.
Bahaha Funny how GSP an actual fighter,, says the complete opposite of what the Zuufa propaganda machine says haha D posts more and more Zuffa talking points. If zuffa says it dumb ass D believes and quotes it hahaha what an imbecile!!
NSCA will end up suspending 50% of the UFC roster, just in the last few months look what it has done to the UFC, more to fail hahahah
Cannabis has no place in sports! smoke that shit when you retire! D is the kid that keeps getting ripped off when he tries to buy weed to be cool! haha
Foaming at the mouth again.
Salda,
Neither do alcohol or tobacco. But the point of these rules is to avoid use of performance enhancing drugs, not turn athletes into boy scouts. If an athlete wants to do lines of blow off of a hooker’s ass and then bang her without a condom, that’s his choice. It may be a dumb choice, but it doesn’t give the athlete an unfair advantage in competition and hence NSAC should mind it’s own business.