The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) jointly announced on March 11 a significant collaboration. This partnership will see several prominent current and former UFC athletes conduct a specialized training seminar for FBI personnel, including academy students and senior staff, at the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 14 and 15.
UFC Fighters Leading the Training:
- Justin Gaethje, a two-time interim lightweight champion.
- Jorge Masvidal, known as the former BMF titleholder.
- Chris Weidman, a former middleweight champion.
- Manel Kape.
- Michael Chandler.
- Claudia Gadelha.
- Renzo Gracie, a renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard will also be part of the team. They will share insights into their rigorous training regimens for competition and demonstrate specific techniques to the attending FBI agents and staff.
Statements from Leadership on the Groundbreaking Partnership:
FBI Director Kash Patel, a frequent attendee at UFC events, underscored the critical importance of this seminar. He emphasized that mastering hand-to-hand combat is essential for agents to be “even better prepared to protect the American people.” Patel expressed his enthusiasm:
“I’m thrilled to announce this historic seminar… 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.”
He also commended Dana White, stating:
“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 President Dana White reciprocated the sentiment, describing this as a “first-of-its-kind collaboration.” White remarked:
“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.”
