Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel has proposed a potential partnership between the bureau and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to enhance agents’ physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat skills.
Patel presented this idea to the heads of the FBI’s 55 field offices during a teleconference on Wednesday, ABC News reported.
During the video conference, Patel reportedly suggested that the mixed martial arts organization could assist in developing training programs for law enforcement personnel.
It remains unclear what specific role the UFC would play in FBI training, as no formal agreement has been reached.
UFC President Dana White has been a long-time supporter of President Donald Trump. The president has also regularly attended UFC events, including UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, just days after winning the 2024 election.
Both the FBI and UFC have declined to comment on the matter.