UFC Fighters Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler Train FBI Agents at Quantico

UFC fighters Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler joined a group of current and former mixed martial artists to lead a two-day training seminar for FBI agents and academy students at the FBI’s Quantico facility.

“Former UFC rivals Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler set to train FBI agents at upcoming seminar Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will team up to train Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in hand-to-hand combat”

BJ Penn

According to event notices, the seminar will take place on March 14th and 15th and brings fighters into the FBI Special Agent Academy to train both academy students and senior staff.

BJ Penn

The announcement framed the sessions as direct, in-person instruction from UFC competitors aimed at preparing agents for field work.

The roster for the seminar includes high-profile names from the UFC roster and alumni, with organizers listing Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman and other fighters among the instructors.

Reports indicate the sessions will emphasize mixed martial arts techniques, defense training and demonstrations of how fighters prepare and apply techniques, offering practical tactics intended for agents entering the field.

CNN

FBI leadership and the UFC described the seminar as part of an initiative to broaden training options for agents.

“ROCHESTER, NY - MAY 18: Detail view of UFC fighting gloves worn by Antonio Carlos Junior and Ian Heinisch during a middleweight bout at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York”

NewsNation

FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement calling the event “historic” and praising the opportunity for agents to learn from elite athletes to better protect the public, while the FBI and UFC framed the sessions as an "exciting, innovative" option within the agency’s training offerings.

The training comes amid visible ties between the UFC, its CEO Dana White, and President Donald Trump; outlets note the seminar precedes a White House-hosted UFC fight night and that White has been a prominent Trump supporter.

Reports cite the upcoming White House UFC card planned for Trump’s birthday and describe Dana White’s prominent role in promoting UFC ties to the administration.

BJ Penn

Observers noted the unusual nature of bringing professional fighters into law‑enforcement training even as reports emphasize the practical, defensive focus of the sessions; NewsNation pointed out that investigative work seldom requires hand‑to‑hand combat, while the UFC and FBI stressed techniques and tactical insight.

“FBI agents will attend a training this weekend taught by Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters, the mixed martial arts company announced Wednesday”

CNN

Coverage also highlighted how Patel has cultivated a public persona—appearing on popular podcasts and sharing fitness moments—which commentators linked to his approach toward novel training partnerships.

CNN