Dana White Lauds FBI Director Kash Patel Wanting to Work with UFC: ‘All of These Guys Should Be Trained in [MMA]’

UFC CEO Dana White asserts there`s nothing controversial about FBI Director Kash Patel`s suggestion for a potential collaboration between the UFC and the federal law enforcement agency, stating it makes complete sense.

Patel initially floated the concept of having UFC athletes train agents during a meeting with heads of FBI field offices across the United States back in February. Although the idea initially faced some skepticism, White later clarified that Patel was “dead serious” about establishing a partnership to equip agents with enhanced practical skills for their duties.

Patel, a known avid fan who recently attended UFC 314 in Miami, has discussed the partnership with White. The UFC CEO is convinced that such training would be profoundly beneficial for agents in the field.

Speaking to Fox News, White explained, “For people that don’t know, UFC fighters have been training law enforcement, military guys for years. When you talk about hand-to-hand combat, these guys should know jiu-jitsu and they should know Muay Thai and all the different things that are the basics of mixed martial arts.”

He added, “Everybody wants to make everything controversial. There’s nothing controversial about it. All of these guys should be trained in [MMA] and they should all be in shape and be able to defend themselves. Kash Patel was dead serious when he said that and he and I have talked about it.”

While a formal agreement hasn`t been finalized yet, White seems confident it will materialize and emphasizes the UFC`s willingness to support the FBI in any possible way.

White is correct in pointing out the existing relationship between fighters and coaches and local law enforcement agencies globally. For example, acclaimed coach Greg Jackson successfully ran a program for years in New Mexico, working with local law enforcement and SWAT team officers.

Furthermore, John McCarthy, widely considered the most renowned referee in MMA history, has experience as a tactics and self-defense instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department.

In the long term, the UFC CEO believes the partnership would significantly benefit agents looking to augment their tactical abilities.

“Any of these guys that are in these type of roles, any type of law enforcement, they should be able to defend themselves without guns if that situation happens,” White stated.