Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira randomly drug tested ahead of UFC 172 title fight

With his UFC 172 bout with Glover Teixeira looming, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones received a surprise drug test from the Maryland State Athletic Commission at today’s Jackson-Winkeljohn media day in Albuquerque, N.M.

“The Maryland Commission sent a lab to drug test me and I’m glad they did,” Jones told Ariel Helwani on the most recent edition of FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight.” “It was urine and blood. They had a test for HGH, I think it was HGH, then they had a urine test that detects all other type of stuff.”

MMAjunkie subsequently confirmed with Teixeira’s camp that the challenger also submitted a sample for the same battery of tests.

According to Jones, the random testing was the result of a request from his management team, who felt it was a good chance to clear his name of any foul play ahead of the April 26 championship bout from Baltimore Arena.

“It was something me and my management team asked for several months ago,” Jones said. “We thought it would be great to make sure everyone was playing fair in this fight. I’m not accusing my opponent of anything, but it’d just be great to see.

“They said they would need the UFC to approve it, the UFC approved it and paid for the whole thing and they never told me or Glover when our tests would come. I’m happy that it came.”

While neither Jones (19-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) nor Teixeira (22-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) has ever tested positive for a banned substance during their MMA careers, “Bones” feels he has a responsibility as champion to pave the way for a drug-free sport.

“I just think it’d be great to know that the athletes that are competing are competing clean,” Jones said. “I’ve never taken any kind of performance-enhancing drug and I don’t think any of my opponents should. I know that I’ve probably fought people in the past that have, and I’ve still come up with a way to win, but I just think it’s important that it goes away.

“I want our sport to be a clean sport. I want athletes to have pride and hard work and that’s why I thought I would put my money where my mouth is and get the test for myself.”

Although Jones’ request for random drug tests could be misconstrued as a way of implying Teixeira is cheating, the 26-year-old says it has just as much to do with clearing his own name to any potential doubters.

“I have no right to accuse him of being on anything,” Jones said. “I know when people get chances to fight for world titles maybe they’ll do anything to get an edge, and I think the only edge you should have it work ethic so I thought we should both get tested.”

“I’ve been pretty verbal about being against steroids. It’s easy to say that you’re against it and maybe have people question you. I don’t know, I’m not the thickest guy muscle-wise, but it makes me feel good to have people see that I haven’t taken anything, that I’m not on anything and that this fight is going to be played out clean. I’m actually hoping that we get tested again before the fight.”

For more on UFC 172, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Glover Teixeira)