Dana White’s UFC Collaborate with Kash Patel’s FBI for Exclusive Combat Training

UFC CEO Dana White announces a collaboration with the FBI, which will include top UFC fighters hosting a seminar for trainees and agents.

Dana White’s UFC Collaborate with Kash Patel’s FBI for Exclusive Combat Training

Dana White sets ups seminar with FBI (via BBC, The New Yorker)

In Short
  • UFC and FBI will host a specialized combat training seminar on March 14-15 at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
  • Current and former UFC fighters, including Justin Gaethje and Chris Weidman, will teach mixed martial arts techniques to FBI personnel.
  • This collaboration follows previous interactions between UFC and FBI, including investigations into betting scandals.

UFC CEO Dana White has overseen a historic collaboration between the UFC and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, creating a rare crossover between professional mixed martial arts and federal law enforcement training. The initiative will see elite UFC athletes work directly with FBI personnel in a specialized seminar focused on physical readiness, defensive tactics, and practical combat techniques.

The two-day training seminar is scheduled for March 14 and 15 at the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia. It will be conducted exclusively for academy students along with senior FBI personnel from around the world. During the event, fighters and UFC staff will introduce the fundamentals of mixed martial arts and demonstrate techniques that could translate into defensive situations faced by agents.

Several current and former UFC fighters are scheduled to participate in the seminar. The lineup includes interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former champion Chris Weidman, title contenders Michael Chandler and Jorge Masvidal, flyweight contender Manel Kape, and MMA legend Renzo Gracie. Matchmaker and Vice President of Talent Relations, Mick Maynard, will also take part in the sessions.

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 via UFC

This collaboration is not the first time UFC has worked alongside the FBI. Following the major betting controversy involving Isaac Dulgarian at UFC Vegas 110 in November 2025, Dana White revealed he had contacted the FBI about the matter. The UFC CEO indicated that federal authorities would be involved in investigating such matters and addressing anyone found to be connected to betting scandals.

FBI Director Kash Patel has also shown a strong interest in UFC and its training methods. In early 2025, Patel requested assistance from White and proposed allowing UFC fighters to help train FBI agents in combat drills. The proposal drew some political backlash, but White supported the initiative, while Justin Gaethje also embraced the idea and indicated he was willing to volunteer and be part of the team.

The collaboration also comes months before UFC is set to stage a historic MMA event on the South Lawn of the White House. The planned card has been described as a vision championed by Dana White and US President Donald Trump. With federal agencies already interacting with UFC through initiatives such as the training seminar in Quantico, the FBI could potentially be linked to the landmark event.

Dana White reassures UFC fighters after $15 million Zuffa Boxing deal

Dana White made a major move in the boxing world in 2026 after signing British star Conor Benn to his new Zuffa Boxing promotion. The deal reportedly guarantees Benn around $15 million for a single fight, marking one of the first major signings under the new banner. Benn, who previously fought under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, became one of the earliest high-profile fighters to join the venture.

Dana White
Dana White (via MMA Fighting)

The payout quickly drew attention within the UFC roster, with several fighters questioning the scale of the deal compared to their own earnings. Some pointed out that the amount exceeded what many fighters make throughout their entire careers in the promotion. Former champions and stars Sean O’Malley and Israel Adesanya were among those who raised the issue, prompting the UFC boss to address the situation.

Why is it a bad thing when guys make more money? It’s always a good thing when there’s more money in the sport. We just got a great television rights deal, I promise you that fighter pay is gonna be just fine over the next 7 years.

Dana White via Zuffa Boxing press conference

Dana White’s response also comes as UFC prepares for a major shift following its $7.7 billion streaming rights deal with Paramount+. The agreement is expected to significantly increase the promotion’s overall revenues in the coming years. Despite leading the world’s largest MMA organization, the UFC CEO has long faced scrutiny over fighter pay, keeping the debate active within the sport.

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