2015 has been a revealing year regarding mixed martial arts and banned substances. And after deliberating the issue for months, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has decided to go heavy against fighters that fail drug tests.

As reported by MMAJunkie, the commission voted for sweeping changes to its drug policy, deciding to levy much harsher administrative punishments to those testing positive to banned substances. Included in the changes are the minimum suspension for those found to use performance enhancing drugs. According to the new guidelines, first time offenders will be suspended for three years, and fined 40-50 percent of their fight purse, with a third offense meriting a lifetime ban.

The probing of drug policies kicked-off in January when the commission was mired in controversy following its handling of the matter of former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones fighting in UFC 182 after testing positive for cocaine metabolites.

After the incident, the NSAC appointed a committee to evaluate changes to both the way it conducts drug testing, and the punishments to drug offenders, as noted by the MMAJunkie report.

As detailed by ESPN, second time offenders for steroids will be suspended four years, and lose 75-100 percent of the fight purse. Those who test positive for banned stimulants for the first time will be suspended for two years, and forced to give up 35-45 percent of their purse. A second offense would entail a three year suspension, and 50-60 percent of the purse, while a third offense would be given a lifetime ban, and take 100 percent of the purse.

For diuretics: two years, and 30-40 percent of purse for first offense; three years and 40-50 percent of the purse for the next offense, and a lifetime ban, along with 100 percent of the purse.

For banned sedatives, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, anxiolytics, opiates, and cannabis: 18 months and 30-40 percent of the purse for first time offenders; two years and 40-50 percent of the purse for the next offense, three years and 60-75 percent of the purse for the third offense, and a lifetime ban and 100 percent of the purse for the fourth offense.

As pointed out by MMJunkie, the commission stressed that punishments will still be evaluated on a case-to-case basis, and that the guidelines do not necessarily represent mandatory terms.