On March 11, a unique collaboration between the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was announced. As part of this partnership, several current and former UFC stars are set to visit the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 14 and 15. Their mission is to conduct an exclusive training seminar, teaching mixed martial arts techniques to academy students and experienced FBI personnel.
UFC Fighters Participating in the Exclusive Seminar:
- Justin Gaethje, the current two-time interim lightweight champion.
- Jorge Masvidal, former BMF title holder.
- Chris Weidman, former middleweight champion.
- Manel Kape.
- Michael Chandler.
- Claudia Gadelha.
- Renzo Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard will also be part of this elite team. According to an official press release from the UFC, the team will share insights into their competition training methods and demonstrate specific techniques to both academy students and senior FBI staff.
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 vital for agents to be “even better prepared to protect the American people.”
“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.”
Director Patel also lauded UFC President Dana White for his transformative impact on the mixed martial arts industry and for fostering this productive partnership.
“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.”
In response, Dana White commented on this “first-of-its-kind collaboration” between the UFC and the FBI:
“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.”
