The NSAC has just upped the ante on drug testing, according to MMAWeekly. Not only are fighters required to pass a slew of tests before fights to gain a license, they will be subject to random testing throughout the year by the NSAC to maintain said documentation.

Selection for testing will be determined in three different ways:
1. Fighters may be randomly chosen for testing.
2. If there is some indication that a fighter is taking a non-approved substance, they may be tested.
3. If a fighter has previously tested positive for using a non-approved substance, they may be tested.

Keith Kizer was recently questioned on different aspects of the new drug policy, including time frame for compliance, fighters outside Nevada and outside the continental United States, and the types of drugs that they will be monitoring.

When asked about the time frame, Kizer states, “The time frame will be a reasonable one and will be set forth in the notification letter (to the licensee).”

The penalty for failure will be the same as if it was a pre-fight test that could include both fines and suspension but will ultimately be up to the Commission.

Kizer noted that the off-fight random tests will be primarily steroids related, although the pre-fight tests will continue to test for drugs of abuse (such as marijuana and cocaine) and performance enhancing drugs.

He also noted that even fighters outside Nevada and the continental U.S. will be subject to testing and that they are working closely with testing facilities throughout the country and abroad, so fighters will not need to travel to Nevada for testing purposes.

The NSAC is following in the footsteps of agencies such as the NFL and the World Anti-Doping Agency in issuing these short-notice drug tests. It remains to be seen when this new policy will go into effect.