- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Quantico Today
By the People, for the People
UFC Fighters to Train FBI Agents in Quantico
The partnership between the UFC and FBI aims to strengthen agents' defense techniques.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:48pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
UFC fighters, including interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, will head to the FBI's Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this weekend to host a two-day training seminar for FBI agents. The partnership was confirmed in a joint statement by FBI Director Kash Patel and UFC CEO Dana White.
Why it matters
The idea for the training program was first floated by Patel in 2025, and it comes shortly after he faced criticism for partying with the U.S. men's hockey team following their gold medal win at the Olympics. The training is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the FBI's defense techniques, and it aligns with President Trump's enthusiasm for the UFC and his friendship with Dana White.
The details
The training seminar will feature top UFC fighters, including Manel Kape, Michael Chandler, Claudia Gadelha, and Renzo Gracie. Patel said the training is a 'tremendous opportunity' for FBI agents to learn from 'some of the greatest athletes on Earth,' while White described it as an 'incredible opportunity' for their athletes to support the FBI.
- The training seminar will take place this weekend (March 14-15, 2026).
- A UFC event is set to take place at the White House on June 14, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The players
Kash Patel
The current Director of the FBI.
Dana White
The CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Justin Gaethje
The interim UFC lightweight champion.
Jorge Masvidal
The UFC BMF champion.
Chris Weidman
The former UFC middleweight champion.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
“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. We are grateful for their shared love of our nation, so that we can better defend her.”
— Kash Patel, Director of the FBI
What’s next
The UFC White House fight is set to take place on June 14, 2026, Trump's 80th birthday.
The takeaway
The partnership between the UFC and FBI highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement capabilities, particularly in the areas of defense and security. While the training program has drawn some criticism, it reflects the broader trend of collaboration between the private sector and government agencies to address emerging threats and challenges.
