The normally inept Nevada Athletic Commission, which prides friendships above all else, just had a shocking meeting. The NSAC convened to discuss a new drug testing regime that puts the UFC’s “Call to Action” to shame. Top MMA journalists Brett Okamoto and Shaheen Al-Shatti were on hand to document the meeting:
Looks like Nevada Athletic Commission is voting today on new guidelines for drug cheat suspensions/fines. Like, they're actually doing it.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Some pretty severe penalties being bandied about right now by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Multi-year suspensions and *massive* fines.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Okay, so the NSAC is talking about some new penalties for failing drug tests. Let’s see what they’ve come up with:
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
WOW. Three failed PED tests and that’s a lifetime ban is one thing, but four failures for weed gets the same punishment? That’s slowly becoming legal across the country, but, for some insane reason marijuana, is still on the banned substance list, so the NSAC is dropping the hammer. These aren’t just proposed changes, either:
After some debate, looks like a motion is coming today. This is actually happening, y'all.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Motion passes. It's official. Wow.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
A slew of incredibly severe new penalties will now go into effect later this year for drug cheats. It's a new world.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Things certainly are changing, and not just in Nevada. Because it’s the fight capital, most other states use Nevada’s rules and regulations as a guideline for their own athletic commission.
Nevada Athletic Commission plans to reach out to all commissions in the country and recommend they follow the NAC's lead, re: punishments.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Assuming the UFC follows Nevada Athletic Commission's lead, overseas UFC shows will likely follow these same protocols starting in the fall.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
Looks like Sept. 1 is a tentative date for these changes to be enacted. Could be pushed back to Oct.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
It looks like autumn will see a drastic change across all combat sports, being that the NSAC governs mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and pretty much anything that isn’t pro wrestling. In addition to failing tests, there are also repercussions for missing them:
Avoiding a test: 1st offense would be a 4 year suspension. A second offense (as unlikely as one would hope that would be) would be lifetime.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 15, 2015
Again, this is a major change, especially considering the NSAC likes to delay having to talk about policy changes as much as possible. What does happen if a fighter fails a drug test now?
NSAC also unanimously approves a motion that will assign a loss to a fighter's record, if he/she fails a drug test. No longer no-contest.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 15, 2015
Some clarification on the new Nevada rules:
If you're the winner and you cheated = loss
If you're the loser but you didn't cheat = NC— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 15, 2015
I wonder how the NSAC would handle Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz under their new rules, being that Silva failed a test for steroids, while Diaz tested positive for weed (his third failure).
NSAC will not extend in-competition, out-of-competition window but it has added stimulants to 'banned at all times' list. Cocaine not pot.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 15, 2015
Last but not least, I assume the NSAC is calling this the Jon Jones rule.
The big question coming from all of this information: Will any fighters refuse to fight in Nevada once these new, harsher penalties are put in place? Texas has played loose with drug testing in the past, so maybe Dallas and Houston will get an influx of fighting.