A two-day training program for FBI agents, hosted by mixed martial arts fighters, has been announced by FBI Director Kash Patel and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White.
Current and former UFC fighters are set to host the “exclusive training seminar” at the FBI’s Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Why It Matters
The idea was first floated by Patel in February 2025 in a conference call with the FBI’s 55 field office supervisors, according to Reuters. A UFC event is set to take place at the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. President Donald Trump has long been an enthusiast of the sport, and he and White are friends.
The announcement comes shortly after Patel faced an onslaught of online criticism after partying with Team USA following the men’s hockey team’s gold‑medal win at the Olympics in Italy last month. Footage shared on social media showed Patel joining players in the locker room after the victory, and many social media users questioned whether the moment was appropriate for the head of the FBI.
What To Know
The partnership was confirmed in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.
“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,” White said in a statement.
He described it as an “incredible opportunity” for their athletes and said they are “proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”
On the roster for training are interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, UFC BMF champion Jorge Masvidal and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Also in attendance will be the top UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape, former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha and MMA fighter Renzo Gracie.
Patel said it 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.”
What People Are Saying
Tommy Vietor, Pod Save America host and former staffer for President Barack Obama, in a post on X viewed more than 100,000 times: “Hey maybe instead of playing karate with celebrities @Kash_Patel could do his f****** job for once and manage the terrorist threats from Iran?”
Social media user @primediscussion, in a post on X viewed more than 65,000 times: “These are the fantasies of 12 year olds.”
Paul Rieckhoff, a news host, author and veteran, posted on X, viewed more than 15,000 times: “While Nancy Guthrie remains missing, a makeshift bomb was thrown near Gracie Mansion, and homeland threats coming out of Iran from drones and other attack methods skyrocket nationwide. He is not a serious leader. His incompetence is making us all less safe.”
What Happens Next
The seminar will take place this weekend. Meanwhile, the UFC White House fight is set to take place on June 14, Trump’s 80th birthday.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
