FBI taps UFC to train agents in combat — and Trump's ties to Dana White draw scrutiny

The FBI is partnering with UFC, the world's largest mixed martial arts organization, to provide close-quarters combat training for its special agents.

Sports outlet The Athletic reported Sunday that the FBI is pursuing a one-year exclusive contract to hand over agent training to UFC. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The contract document states that the FBI requires "a defensive tactics training program integrating MMA techniques and specialized defensive tactics," with the goal of improving "the physical combat skills, mental fortitude and tactical awareness essential for special agents who face high-risk situations," according to the report.

US law enforcement agencies have been consistently expanding their use of MMA techniques — including jiu-jitsu and wrestling — to more effectively subdue suspects and protect officers. The partnership with UFC, which holds world-class training infrastructure and expertise, is seen as a move to maximize agents' real-world response capabilities.

This is not the first time the two sides have worked together. In February last year, US media reported that FBI Director Kash Patel was pursuing a plan to have UFC trainers teach agents physical conditioning, martial arts and self-defense. Patel was said to want a formal relationship established between the FBI and UFC at the time. In March, UFC fighters held a collaborative event at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, teaching agents MMA techniques. Justin Gaethje, Jorge Masvidal and Michael Chandler were among those who participated.

UFC CEO Dana White said at the time that he had "a strong amount of respect for the FBI and what they do every day to protect this country."

The partnership has also drawn political scrutiny given the close relationship between President Donald Trump and UFC. Reuters noted that White has maintained close ties with the Trump administration. He appeared on stage at multiple Trump campaign rallies and delivered a speech introducing Trump as the Republican presidential candidate at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Trump has publicly praised White and UFC on multiple occasions. On conservative broadcaster Dan Bongino's show in 2021, he called White "a fantastic guy and a winner" and said the two were longtime friends, adding that "what he's done with UFC is actually hard to believe." On YouTuber Logan Paul's podcast in 2024, Trump called White "one of a kind" and said he wasn't sure anyone else could do what White does. After attending UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York in November of that year, Trump posted on social media: "Thank you to the great Dana White and UFC 309."

The idea of hosting a UFC event at the White House also emerged around that time. Trump told White at Madison Square Garden in November 2024 that "we should have a fight at the White House," according to reports. That idea became reality in June, when "UFC Freedom 250" was held on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14 (local time) to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and Trump's 80th birthday, drawing more than 4,000 guests. White, however, said he would not hold such an event at the White House again, citing costs, weather and logistical challenges.