FBI agents in training, alongside senior personnel from around the globe, are scheduled to participate in a specialized combat tactics seminar this weekend at the bureau’s academy in Quantico, Virginia. This two-day program signifies a historic first-time collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), bringing professional mixed martial arts fighters to instruct agents on defensive skills.
The seminar, taking place at the FBI Special Agent Academy, will feature current and former UFC athletes, including interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, and former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. Other notable participants include former strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, flyweight contender Manel Kape, MMA legend Renzo Gracie, and former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard is also slated to attend. These athletes are expected to demonstrate high-level combat techniques and share insights into their rigorous training routines and the mental fortitude required for intense situations, offering practical applications for law enforcement scenarios.
FBI Director Kash Patel expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "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." This sentiment was echoed by UFC CEO Dana White, who praised the partnership and highlighted the unique opportunity for fighters to engage with federal law enforcement. "I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country," White remarked. "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 concept of integrating mixed martial arts instruction into FBI training was initially proposed by Director Patel during a conference call with field office supervisors in early 2025. While some agents reportedly described the idea as "surreal" and "wacky" at the time, according to reports by Resist the Mainstream and The Independent, the bureau ultimately moved forward with the program. Officials within the FBI have characterized this partnership as a component of a broader strategy to modernize training protocols and equip agents with an expanded repertoire of defensive skills prior to their deployment to field offices. The bureau anticipates that drawing upon the expertise of elite combat athletes will furnish agents with practical tools that could prove invaluable in dangerous real-world encounters they may face.
This collaboration also occurs against the backdrop of the UFC's increasing cultural and political visibility in Washington. The organization's CEO, Dana White, is a long-standing ally of President Donald Trump. In a further demonstration of its expanding presence, the UFC is planning a high-profile fight event at the White House later this year, scheduled for June 14, as part of the America 250 celebrations. This upcoming event underscores the deepening ties between the mixed martial arts organization and high-level political spheres.
For the FBI, the Quantico seminar represents a strategic step toward evolving its training methodologies. By embracing unconventional partnerships and leveraging the specialized knowledge of professional combatants, the bureau aims to ensure its agents are as prepared as possible for the diverse and challenging situations they encounter in their duty to protect the American public. This initiative reflects an ongoing effort to adapt and strengthen the defensive capabilities of federal law enforcement personnel.
