A band of top UFC fighters will be at the FBI facility in Quantico, Virginia, where they will be training agents in the way of mixed martial arts this weekend, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
The newfound UFC-FBI partnership marks the latest collaboration between the federal government and the MMA league.
UFC athletes, both current and former, will give students at the FBI Special Agent Academy and senior FBI staff the opportunity to put their combat skills to the test in an exclusive training seminar on Saturday and Sunday. The joint announcement was made on Wednesday.
“I’m thrilled to announce this historic seminar between the FBI and the UFC at Quantico,” Patel said.
“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 added before thanking the UFC boss. “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.”
The FBI chief, a known fan of the UFC, sometimes attends major fights in his free time. He often receives criticism from congressional Democrats over the private use of his government-owned jet for sports events.
The all-star crew of athletes who will be training FBI academy students and staff includes current and two-time interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, and MMA legend Renzo Gracie, among a few others.
UFC CEO and President Dana White is honored to be working with the bureau in this capacity.
“I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country,” White said. “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.”
The collaboration comes ahead of the national UFC fight at the White House this summer.
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The event is set to take place on the White House lawn on June 14, marking the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump. More broadly, the fight is part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
White has said the event won’t be “too political” despite the venue, noting Trump’s love for UFC is not so different from former President Barack Obama‘s affinity for basketball or former President George W. Bush‘s passion for baseball.
