Pros react to dramatic proposed changes to UFC drug testing program

More than a few dramatic promises were made on Wednesday in Las Vegas. If they all come true, the date will go down as the biggest leap forward to clean up mixed martial arts in the sport's history.

At a special press conference to discuss the rash of recent PED failures in the UFC, promotion officials outlined a drastic new drug testing program that, when implemented on July 1, will see all 500+ fighters on the roster subjected to random, year-round, out-of-competition drug testing, along with mandatory, out-of-competition drug testing for main event and championship fighters. The penalty the UFC vowed to advocate for: anywhere from a two- to four-year suspension for first-time offenders -- effectively a death sentence in a sport where fighters' windows of competition are already fleeting as is.

Check out reaction from fighters below regarding the announcement that may ultimately have a lasting and far-reaching impact on their professional livelihoods. (This post will be updated throughout the day as reactions stream in.)

Very happy to learn about the UFC announcing a new comprehensive random PED testing.

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 18, 2015

Clearly a big step in the right direction for our sport.

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 18, 2015

Can't wait to get more details about the actual protocol, 3rd party testing agency and new sanctions.

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 18, 2015

1 of 2 @GeorgesStPierre @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta great news about the new drug testing policy! i hope my next fight against

— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 18, 2015

2 of 2 @Ruthless_RL at #ufc189 will be part of this new testing era, Make it happen !

— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 18, 2015

Hey kids #DontDoDrugs...even @ufc is saying so finally...I'll be the 1st one in line... #TheOnceAndFutureKing

— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) February 18, 2015

Today is a great day for the sport of mixed martial arts. Excellent work @lorenzofertitta @danawhite @ufc

— michael (@bisping) February 18, 2015

Today was a great day for MMA. Hopefully we won't see anymore of this stuff going on. No, ... http://t.co/eqEhoNMrQT pic.twitter.com/nXbXm6yHxM

— michael (@bisping) February 18, 2015

Man yall better stay off them DRUGS or it will be the end of your career

— Clint Hester (@clinthester) February 18, 2015

Love the stance UFC is taking on PED's now. Gonna be great for the sport. Excited to know I'll be fighting normal human beings. #dontcheat

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) February 18, 2015

Excited about the potential change in the UFC but talk is cheap. Opening with suspensions of recent PED athletes would convey their resolve.

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 18, 2015

I have a feeling we'll see a lot of cheat..I mean fighters drop weight classes after July 1st. #PEDPresser

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) February 18, 2015

Well done @ufc with new PED testing policy and supporting longer ban. Important that true technique and talent shines through. @danawhite

— Gunnar Nelson (@GunniNelson) February 18, 2015

Suck it cheaters. #ufc #ped #thetimeisnow. Can we have @GeorgesStPierre back in the @ufc now please? Thanks.

— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) February 18, 2015

The @ufc press conference right now. A new era for the sport and a huge positive step forward.

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 18, 2015

No worries when u fight clean RT @leocompass: @MMAFighting @roynelsonmma the only guy not sweating right now :) pic.twitter.com/ubuVZeeYoP

— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) February 18, 2015

Twice I have entered the UFC octagon,twice I have bn tested,Bring on the out of competition testing,I will sleep well tonight

— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) February 18, 2015

More testing the better. Lets hope other big shows follow the @UFC's lead so there is no place to hide within our sport.

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) February 18, 2015

Very happy to hear the direction that the @ufc is going with drug testing in the future. Thank you @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) February 18, 2015

Today is a good day for the sport of MMA!! Entering a new era!! #drugfree @UFC http://t.co/gw4cKGfNkc pic.twitter.com/keVfJo53hd

— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) February 18, 2015

People about to start going from MW to featherweight with these new rules LoL #CleanUp

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 18, 2015

Bye #peds thats bullshit #allnatural #UFC train hard my friend!

— C H I T O V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) February 18, 2015

Mission Complete - Steroids Eradicated. #training

— Houston Alexander (@houstonassassin) February 18, 2015

congrats to @UFC for tightening the rules! #cheatingisnotgood #testmeanytimeanyplace

— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) February 18, 2015

@MMASun @BellatorMMA @ufc @ScottCoker @danawhite agreed Bellator needs to agree to the same testing policy!

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 18, 2015

Well one good thing to come out of these positive PED tests, @rory_macdonald finally gets a shot at the welterweight title! #UFC189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 18, 2015

Fantastic news by the @ufc to limit the PED! I hope they are doing out of competition wada testing for my fight in @UFCPoland #CleanSport

— sheldon westcott (@sheldonwestcott) February 18, 2015

It sucks hearing all this from the UFC and wanting to believe it but knowing certain guys will still be protected and it's all BS :/

— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) February 18, 2015

Maybe they will do their best. I hope so but come on man track record shows no one gives a fuck. Especially the commission.

— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) February 18, 2015