QUANTICO, Va. (Diya TV) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation will host a unique training event this weekend as several top Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes arrive at the FBI Academy in Quantico to work with agents and trainees.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the initiative this week, calling it a “historic seminar” that will allow FBI personnel to learn training techniques and strategies from elite mixed martial arts fighters. The program will take place on March 15 and 16 at the FBI’s Special Agent Academy. It will include academy students and senior FBI staff from offices around the world.
Patel said the collaboration gives FBI agents a rare chance to learn from some of the most accomplished fighters in the sport.
“I’m thrilled to announce this historic seminar between the FBI and the UFC at Quantico,” Patel said in a statement released by the 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.”
The seminar will focus on conditioning, combat techniques, and training strategies used by professional fighters. FBI officials believe the program can strengthen the physical readiness and tactical skills of agents. According to a UFC press release, the event forms part of a broader FBI effort to update and expand its training programs. The agency aims to provide agents with new and innovative preparation methods that improve performance in the field.
Several well-known mixed martial arts figures will participate in the training sessions. The lineup includes interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, and former middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Former strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha will also attend. The seminar will also feature former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler, top flyweight contender Manel Kape, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie.
These athletes will demonstrate drills, fighting techniques, and conditioning routines used at the highest levels of mixed martial arts. FBI trainees will observe and participate in several sessions during the two-day program. Officials said the goal is not to turn agents into fighters. Instead, instructors want agents to gain insights into discipline, body control, endurance, and real-time decision-making.
Patel first introduced the concept shortly after he took leadership of the FBI last year. He raised the idea during a teleconference with leaders from the bureau’s 55 field offices. The proposal quickly gained attention within the agency. Supporters argued that lessons from professional combat sports could improve defensive tactics and situational awareness.
The FBI Academy in Quantico already trains thousands of law enforcement personnel every year. The campus serves as the bureau’s primary training center for new agents and intelligence analysts. Adding outside athletic expertise represents a new direction for the academy’s training approach.
UFC CEO Dana White welcomed the collaboration and praised the work of federal law enforcement officers.
“I have tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country,” White said in the statement. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”
White has long supported former President Donald Trump and appeared at the Republican National Convention in 2024. He also spoke during Trump’s victory rally in 2025. White and Trump recently announced plans to stage a UFC fight at the White House to celebrate Trump’s birthday, further highlighting the close ties between the UFC and several political figures.
FBI leaders say the Quantico seminar highlights their focus on constant improvement. Law enforcement officers often face unpredictable and dangerous situations. Physical conditioning and defensive skills can play a critical role in those encounters. Officials believe training alongside elite athletes can inspire agents and expose them to new techniques. Patel praised White and the UFC for supporting the initiative.
“Dana White has changed the game in the mixed martial arts industry,” Patel said. “We are extremely honored to partner with him, the professionals, and the UFC. We are grateful for their shared love of our nation so that we can better defend her.”
The two-day seminar will begin Saturday at the FBI Academy and mark the first time UFC fighters have conducted a formal training program with the bureau. Organizers say they may expand similar collaborations in the future if the event proves successful.
