UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has begun undergoing random drug tests ahead of his title defense to Glover Teixeira at UFC 172 later this month. Jones, sporting a bandage, revealed as much to UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani, adding that the tests were administered by an independent laboratory acting on behalf of the Maryland State Athletic Commission.

"The Maryland commission sent a lab to drug test me and I'm glad they did," said Jones. "It was urine and blood. They had a test for HGH [Human Growth Hormone], I think it was HGH, and a urine test that could detect all different types of stuff."

Jones explained that the testing was not only something he endorsed, but initiated by request.

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

"They said they would need the UFC to approve it. The UFC approved it, paid for the whole thing and they never told me or Glover when our test would come. Mine came today and I'm happy that it came."

ESPN's Brett Okamoto later confirmed with UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta that the UFC would incur all associated costs of testing both Jones and Teixeira.

"I just think it would be great to know that the athletes that are competing are competing clean," said Jones. "I've never taken any type 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 who have and I'm still coming up with a way to win. I just think it's important that it goes away. I want to see our sport be a clean sport. I want to see athletes really have pride in hard work. That's why I put my money where my mouth is and get the test myself."

When asked by Helwani if he believes Teixeira could be taking any sort of performance enhancing drug, 'Bones' says his desire for increased testing is more about promoting a clean image for the sport than about outing users.

"I have no right to accuse him of being on anything," said Jones. "I know when people get chances to fight for world titles maybe they'll do anything to get an edge. I think the only edge you should have is your work ethic. I thought it would be great to get us both tested.

As reported by Helwani, Teixeira received his first random test 10 days ago.

"I've been pretty verbal about being against steroids. It's easy to say you're against it and maybe have people question you. I don't know. I'm not the biggest guy, muscle-wise. It makes me feel good that people see I've never taken anything and 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."

As predicting an outcome against Teixeira, Jones isn't downplaying his signature confidence.

"I predict that I win the fight. My goal is to finish the fight. My goal is to dominate Glover in a way that no one has ever seen or could have imagined. Another world championship."

UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira goes down Apr. 26, 2014 from the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Title shot. The winner of the UFC 175 bout between Daniel Cormier and Dan Henderson will get a UFC light heavyweight title shot.

No. 1 contender bout? A fight between Rory MacDonald and Tyron Woodley is in the works for UFC 174.

Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas covers a Metamoris 3 recap, previews Bellator 115 and answers your questions in this week's live chat.

Chael vs. Wandy. Chael Sonnen sounds worried about whether or not Wanderlei Silva actually plans on following through on their fight. "He's just doing all these things to tip his hand here, and something stinks and I don't know what it is, but something's going on."

GSP's knee. Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL next week in Los Angeles.

MEDIA STEW

Tim Kennedy confused by Michael Bisping.

Good for Holly Holm.

TTTHS.

Adonis Stevenson: "Georges St-Pierre said things need to be fixed in ufc before return."

GLORY 15 preview.

Joao Zeferino with a nice rebound from being cut by UFC.

Long watches.

Gracie Breakdown of Metamoris 3

MMA 3 Way: Pro wrestling + martial arts movies as inspiration for MMA

Darce Side Radio: Ralek Gracie, Tyrone Spong

TWEETS

Eat up.

.@raylongomma just brought over a bakery to my house for my cheat day. Another reason he is the best... http://t.co/ePnGIxbV3Y — Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) April 3, 2014

Interesting.

Yes "@eddiebravo: Ryron Did your match with @Galvaobjj go thru the Helio Gracie filter? On ur "Breakdown" u & @RenerGracie said mine didn't. — RYRON GRACIE (@RyronGracie) April 2, 2014

@eddiebravo your match / tech was beautiful. It's only the Deep Half concept that presents concerns in a fight (eg. UFC FN 38). — RYRON GRACIE (@RyronGracie) April 2, 2014

Don't get it twisted. I RESPECT every style of #JIUJITSU that exists. I just stand firmly behind mine. #Graciejiujitsu — RYRON GRACIE (@RyronGracie) April 2, 2014

Shooting a commercial.

Less shopped than Randy's.

Yikes.

So this is what I would look like with fake boobs!! * my conditioning coach did not like that I used... http://t.co/DKgZ6b26Vd — Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) April 2, 2014

Missed this.

Weidman running around after double knee surgery.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Apr. 2 2014)

Rodrigo Damm vs. Rashid Magomedov at UFC Fight Night: Sonnen vs. Silva

Rory MacDonald vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 174

Ryan Bader vs. Rafael Cavalcante at UFC 174

Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Chad Laprise at TUF Nations Finale

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via dpk875.

Top Prospects to Watch this Weekend

Here are some of the better prospects in action this weekend. Five prospects that I had ranked in my top 10 list for each division are in action this weekend. Also, two of the best Female 135lbs fighters outside of the UFC are in action, and some other very good prospects that could end up in bigger shows very soon. M-1 - 4 Apr - Orenburg, Russia

HW Marcin Tybura (9-0) vs. Maro Perak (23-3-1) Age: 28 Height: 6'3 Tybura is currently my #1 HW prospect in the sport. He has stopped 8 of 9 opponents in his career, including his last three in M-1. Marcin is an outstanding grappler, who can control position to work submission and also put ground and pound on his opponents in volume. ...

Check out the rest of the post here.

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