UFC Fighters to Train FBI Agents in ‘Historic Seminar,’ Kash Patel Says

UFC fighters will head to Quantico, Va. this week to train FBI agents and students in what FBI director Kash Patel is calling a “historic seminar.”

According to a press release from UFC on Wednesday, the mixed martial arts promotion company has partnered with the FBI for a training course taking place on March 14 and 15 at the FBI Special Agent Academy. “The athletes, along with UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, will provide insight into how they train for competition, as well as demonstrate specific techniques and tactics, offering a unique perspective to the students as they prepare to enter the field office,” the release states.

Athletes attending include current 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.

In a statement, Patel called the seminar 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, “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.”

UFC CEO White said: “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.”

The announcement added that the collaboration is “part of an overall initiative by the FBI to provide its agents with exciting, innovative training options and to constantly look for opportunities to revamp and improve their preparation to continue to be the best of the best.”