The new director of the FBI, Kash Patel, is considering enhancing agent training, potentially by working with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
During a recent meeting with FBI field office heads, Patel suggested improving the agency’s martial arts training by involving UFC fighters and coaches. Reports indicate he also proposed the UFC might develop fitness programs for FBI agents.
Rich Frankel, former special agent in charge of the FBI’s Newark office, commented to ABC News that the UFC has a very specific and effective approach to physical fitness, which could be beneficial for the FBI.
The UFC and its former CEO Dana White have close ties to the previous presidential administration. White publicly supported and campaigned for President Trump.
Trump has frequently attended UFC events and has expressed admiration for UFC athletes.
While a formal FBI-UFC partnership would be novel, mixed martial artists have a history of collaborating with law enforcement.
Greg Jackson, a coach for prominent fighters like Jon Jones, has provided self-defense training to police officers and SWAT teams.
John McCarthy, a well-known MMA referee, has also worked as a tactics and self-defense instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department.
While Patel has raised the idea of UFC collaboration, the timeline for implementing any training program remains unclear as he recently assumed his directorship.
