NSAC vote to institute tougher penalties for failed drug tests

Things are about to get a lot worse for fighters who fail drug tests in the state of Nevada.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) voted to enact some drastic changes to their existing drug testing policies on Friday, introducing much harsher penalties for test violations.

Among the biggest changes involve overturning a win into a loss instead of a no-contest for fighters who flunk a drug screening and a minimum three year suspension for first-time steroid offenders (and a lifetime ban for three-time offenders).

MMAjunkie.com has some of the details:

Steroids:

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

Stimulants:

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

Diuretics:

One year and 30-40 percent of purse for first offense
Two years and 40-50 percent of purse for second offense
Lifetime 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 offense
Two years and 40-50 percent of purse for second offense
Three years and 60-75 percent of purse for third offense
Lifetime ban and 100 percent of purse for four offense

Despite these sweeping changes, potential offenders will still be handled on a case-by-case basis.