UFC to Host Training Sessions with FBI Agents

The mixed martial arts promotion and federal agency announce a historic collaboration at the FBI Academy in Quantico.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:57pm

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The UFC will host training sessions at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this weekend, the mixed martial arts promotion and FBI announced on Thursday. FBI Director Kash Patel, a longtime UFC fan, said the seminars on March 14 and 15 will be led by current and former UFC fighters, including a champion, to help strengthen the FBI agents' defense techniques.

Why it matters

This collaboration is part of the FBI's initiative to provide its agents with innovative training options and constantly improve their preparation to continue being the best of the best in law enforcement. The partnership also highlights the growing relationship between the Trump administration and the UFC.

The details

The training sessions will feature a lineup of top UFC fighters, including interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethe, the first UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, top UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape, and mixed martial arts legend Renzo Gracie.

  • The training sessions will take place on March 14 and 15, 2026.
  • The White House-UFC event, UFC Freedom Fights 250, is scheduled for June 14, 2026, which is also President Donald Trump's 80th birthday.

The players

Kash Patel

The FBI Director, who has long been a UFC fan and initiated this collaboration.

Dana White

The UFC CEO, who expressed tremendous respect for the FBI and the opportunity for UFC fighters to train the agency's agents.

Justin Gaethe

The current interim UFC lightweight champion who will participate in the training sessions.

Jorge Masvidal

The first UFC BMF champion who will lead the training sessions.

Chris Weidman

The former UFC middleweight champion who will be part of the training.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Kash Patel, FBI Director (mycentraloregon.com)

“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.”

— Dana White, UFC CEO (mycentraloregon.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This collaboration between the UFC and FBI showcases the agency's commitment to providing its agents with innovative training options to enhance their preparedness and defense techniques, while also highlighting the growing relationship between the Trump administration and the mixed martial arts promotion.