FBI Director Kash Patel and UFC CEO Dana White announced on March 11, 2026, a first-of-its-kind collaboration where current and former UFC fighters will train FBI agents, students, and senior staff at the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 14 and 15. The seminar shares mixed martial arts techniques to enhance agents' field preparation. Participants include Justin Gaethje, Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, and others.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed their historic partnership on March 11, 2026, long anticipated since Patel's February 2025 appointment and his attendance at UFC events. Elite fighters will demonstrate training methods, techniques, and competition insights to bolster FBI personnel's defensive skills.
Participating fighters include interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, flyweight contender Manel Kape, mixed martial arts legend Renzo Gracie, and UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, who will share preparation insights.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated: “I’m thrilled to announce this historic seminar between the FBI and the UFC at Quantico. This is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to learn and train with some of the greatest athletes on earth—helping the world’s premier law enforcement agency be even better prepared to protect the American people. Dana White has changed the game in the mixed martial arts industry and we’re extremely honored to be partnered with him, the professionals, and the UFC. We are grateful for their shared love of our nation, so that we can better defend her.”
UFC CEO Dana White responded: “I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country. Our UFC fighters are some of the baddest men and women on the planet and they are heading to Quantico to train the best FBI agents in mixed martial arts. It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”
This initiative supports the FBI's innovative training efforts and precedes the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn on June 14, 2026, though no direct connection is specified.
