Nevada Turns It Up On Athletes

Nevada Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer announced that the Commission has expanded steroid and drug testing for licensed fighters and those applying for licenses.In addition to the testing performed on contestants on fight night, the Commission will require licensed fighters and licensing applicants to be randomly tested at other times during the year.

In a memo issued to “All Nevada Licensees” dated Jan. 7, 2008, Chairman John Bailey noted that some fighters “...have become very sophisticated in the timing of taking prohibited substances,” which is why the Commission has instituted additional random
testing. “Random testing throughout the year will further deter any fighters considering taking non-approved substances,” said Executive Director Kizer. “The additional testing, which will be paid for by the Commission, will help us keep the sport of unarmed combat safe and fair for all fighters.”

Selection of licensees for testing will be made in one of three 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.

A fighter chosen for testing will be contacted by the Commission directly and given details on the ordering of the test and the time frame within which testing must occur.

If the test is not completed within the designated time frame or if a fighter fails the test, the Commission will refuse to license the fighter. I happen to like this idea because fighters are licensed in various states at once. Fighters know which states test more heavily than others. Some states turn their head when it comes to this because they are just happy to have an event going on in their state. With regards to all fighters no man wants to find out that somebody has an artificial advantage over them.