Yahoo Sports Time for MMA to Come Clean? Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira Undergo Random Drug Testing
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and his next challenger, Glover Teixeira, each recently underwent a random drug test by the Maryland State Athletic Commission (MSAC).
Jones confirmed that he was tested during a UFC media event at the Jackson/Winkeljohn gym in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday. It was his understanding that both he and Teixeira underwent testing that included blood and urine samples.
“It’s great to know the athletes who are competing are competing clean. I’ve never taken any performance enhancing drug,” said Jones when commenting about the testing on UFC Tonight earlier this week. “I’ve probably fought people in the past who have. I want to see our sport be a clean sport. I have no right to accuse (Glover) of anything. The only edge you should have is your work ethic.”
The MSAC doesn’t reveal much information publicly about drug testing, citing privacy laws, but did confirm the testing and commend Jones and Teixeira in a comment provided to MMAWeekly.com on Friday.
“The Maryland State Athletic Commission respects, and maintains, the confidentiality of the out-of-competition random drug testing currently being conducted of professional MMA fighters Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira as they prepare to compete in UFC 172 on April 26, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland,” read the statement.
“Given that one or both of these individuals have commented publicly on such testing, the Maryland State Athletic Commission commends Mr. Jones and Mr. Teixeira, as well as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), for their cooperation in supporting these additional drug testing measures. The Maryland State Athletic Commission believes that such measures are significant and reflect favorably upon the sport of MMA. We are looking forward to regulating UFC 172 in Baltimore. To ensure the confidentiality of testing, there will be no further comment from the Maryland State Athletic Commission on this subject at this time.”
Such testing isn’t overly common in mixed martial arts, primarily due to the expenses incurred and the lack of funding for the regulatory bodies to conduct them.
The UFC, however, agreed to pay for the random tests of Jones and Teixeira.
“The Maryland State Athletic Commission decided to conduct random drug testing for our event in Baltimore,” UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed to ESPN.com on Thursday. “We fully support their efforts and agreed to cover all the expenses related to the program.”
Jones and Teixeira are slated to headline UFC 172 on April 26 in Baltimore, Md.
