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The UFC has retained an independent drug-testing laboratory to screen fighters for performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse later this month at UFC 144 in Japan.

The event's headliners – lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and challenger Ben Henderson – will be tested along with six to eight random competitors on the fight card.

The UFC frequently hires outside firms to conduct drug testing for international shows, where athletic commissions often aren't available.

UFC 144 is the organization's first event held in Japan since UFC 29, which took place in December 2000 when the fight promotion was under the control of its former owners, Semaphore Entertainment Group.