In a unique collaboration between elite sports and law enforcement, interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and several other UFC stars are set to lead a training exercise at the FBI Academy. The event will take place at the FBI Special Agent Academy in Quantico, Virginia, over the upcoming Saturday and Sunday.
High-Profile Training Initiative
Gaethje, along with fellow mixed-martial arts fighters, will demonstrate their advanced training techniques to academy students and FBI staff. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of FBI agents by incorporating methods from some of the world's top athletes.
FBI Director's Statement
FBI director Kash Patel expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating in a release, "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."
Participating Fighters
In addition to Gaethje, the roster of UFC fighters includes Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, Claudia Gadelha, Michael Chandler, Manel Kape, and Renzo Gracie. Their participation underscores the crossover between combat sports and professional defense training.
UFC Leadership Support
Dana White, the CEO and president of UFC, highlighted the significance of this event in a statement. He remarked, "It’s an incredible opportunity for our athletes to experience, and we’re proud to support the FBI in strengthening their defense techniques."
Future UFC Event
Notably, Gaethje is also scheduled to headline a major UFC card on July 4, where he will face Ilia Topuria for the lightweight championship on the south lawn of the White House. This adds to the fighter's high-profile engagements in 2026.
The Associated Press reported this news on Thursday, 12 March 2026, at 21:11 GMT, emphasizing the growing ties between sports and security sectors.
