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The FBI has confirmed that current and former UFC fighters will train agents at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening agents’ defensive and combat skills.

Getting into it: In a press release, the UFC and the FBI announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will bring mixed martial arts athletes to the FBI Special Agent Academy on March 14 and 15 to host an exclusive training seminar for academy students as well as senior FBI staff from around the world. According to the announcement, the fighters will share insights into their training and demonstrate techniques used in professional competition, offering what the UFC described as “a unique perspective to the students as they prepare to enter the field office.”

The seminar will feature an all-star group of fighters, including current interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal, former strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha, lightweight contender Michael Chandler, flyweight contender Manel Kape, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard will also participate in the training sessions. The fighters will walk agents through how they prepare for competition and demonstrate specific techniques and tactics used in mixed martial arts.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised the partnership, calling it “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.” Patel said the collaboration reflects the bureau’s effort to expand training opportunities and explore new ways to enhance agents’ readiness.

UFC CEO Dana White also highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying he has “tremendous respect for the FBI and the work they do every day to protect this country.” White added that “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,” calling it “an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience” and saying the organization is “proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques.”